The Importance of English for Human Resources and Some Key Phrases

Human Resources, commonly shortened to “HR,” is the department that is responsible for managing a company’s workforce. This entails hiring and training staff, as well as compensation, benefits, and employee relations. In globalized workplaces, English is the lingua franca for international communication. English proficiency helps HR managers navigate diverse cultural contexts, support talent acquisition, and uphold compliance standards on an international level.

The importance of English for HR managers

A good level of English is crucial for HR managers for several reasons. Firstly, it facilitates effective communication with employees, managers, and stakeholders, which is vital for discussions, as well as giving instructions and feedback. Secondly, HR managers often handle documentation such as contracts, policies, and reports, which require accurate written English. Proficiency in English enables HR professionals to bridge cultural and linguistic barriers, ensuring smooth operations and fostering inclusivity in diverse work environments.

Why you need English for human resources

English proficiency in the HR department is important not only for employees. In fact, the company as a whole will reap many benefits:

1. Global communication: It enables employees, partners, and clients worldwide to communicate easily, which fosters collaboration across diverse teams and regions.
2. Talent acquisition: HR with good English skills are able to attract and retain top talent from international markets, expanding the company’s pool of skilled professionals and promoting diversity within the workforce.
3. Compliance and risk management: Knowledge of English ensures accurate interpretation and implementation of legal documents, policies, and regulations written in English. This mitigates risks and legal liabilities associated with international operations.
4. Training and development: English training materials, instructions, and resources promote employee learning and skill development in alignment with global standards.
5. Reputation and credibility: Language skills show professionalism in international business dealings, boosting the company’s reputation and credibility among clients, partners, investors, and job seekers.
6. Business expansion: English skills open doors to new opportunities and the potential for expansion into different regions.

How to improve English for human resources

Evidently, companies benefit greatly if their HR team can speak English, making it a worthwhile investment. The best way to improve your HR department’s English skills is by providing corporate English training with an experienced teacher. LiveXP’s B2B program is specifically designed for companies in need of assistance with learning English. It focuses on teaching corporate English with one or several different tutors, which you can change at any time.

The LiveXP B2B program was made with businesses in mind, with flexible scheduling for employees, a simple payment plan, personalized assistance for your company, and tracking your employees’ progress along the way. What’s more, B2B customers are not charged for inactive subscriptions, and unused lessons don’t expire, so you can use them at a later date. It’s also appealing for your employees, who can schedule lessons whenever they like, with a like-minded tutor of their choice.

Barriers due to a lack of HR vocabulary

A company with HR personnel lacking English skills may face various challenges:

• The inability to effectively communicate with international colleagues, clients, or stakeholders can lead to misunderstandings, errors, and decreased productivity.
• Difficulty in attracting global talent due to language barriers in recruitment processes and international interactions.
• Poor comprehension and implementation of English-language legal documents, contracts, and regulations, leading to potential legal risks.
• Difficulty in delivering training programs, manuals, and materials in English, hindering employee development and skill enhancement.
• Perception of unprofessionalism or incompetence due to poor English communication skills, potentially damaging the company’s reputation and credibility.
• A company that doesn’t speak the international business language will not be able to expand beyond its local market.

Addressing these issues typically involves investing in English language training for HR personnel or hiring bilingual staff to bridge the communication gap effectively.

Human resources glossary

The first way to get started learning English for HR is by expanding your vocabulary. Staff members in the HR department should begin by learning job-specific terminology. Here is the key vocabulary that anybody who works in HR in an English-speaking or international company must know.

HR terms about payments

Payroll

Payroll refers to a list of employees and their pay. The HR department, specifically the payroll team, manages employee compensation. This entails ensuring accurate and timely payment to every employee, all while adhering to legal requirements and company policies.

Example:

He’s been on the payroll for 6 months but hasn’t closed a single deal.

Benefits

Along with employee salaries, HR is also in charge of managing employee benefits. These can include health insurance, vacation time, and pension plans, among other things.

Example:

Health insurance is one of the most important employment benefits for Americans.

HR terminology for all staff members

Onboarding

Onboarding is a welcome process wherein a new employee is shown around a company and talked through different aspects of their new role in order to familiarize them with their new environment and make them feel welcome. This ongoing settling-in process can last for several months.

Example:

I really enjoyed learning the ropes during my onboarding period rather than being thrown into the deep end.

Appraisal

An appraisal is an assessment of an employee’s performance, which determines their suitability for future assignments. This review, also called a performance evaluation, may result in setting new goals or revisiting the roles and responsibilities of employees.

Example:

I’m pretty nervous about my performance appraisal, although I have been meeting my targets.

Promotion

Promotion is when an employee gets a new, more important job role within the company.

Example:

I’ve been working here for 5 years, and a managerial position has just opened, so I’m hoping to get a promotion.

Demotion

A demotion is the opposite of a promotion, it refers to changing someone’s position in the workforce to a less important one.

Example:

She won’t get fired, but I’m pretty sure she’s heading for a demotion.

Resignation

Resignation is when an employee voluntarily terminates their employment with a company. Resigning involves the formal submission of a resignation letter or verbal notification to their supervisor or HR department and is more commonly called “quitting.”

Example:

I can’t stay here much longer, I’m going to resign.

To give notice

Giving notice is the act of formally informing an employer of an employee’s intention to resign from their position. Employees must provide notice in advance, as specified by company policy or employment contract, to allow for a smooth transition and completion of pending tasks.

Example:

I’ve handed in my notice, I start my new job as soon as my notice period is over.

HR words about time off

Leave

The time that employees take off work is called “leave” and can be divided into several categories, such as maternity leave, bereavement leave, unpaid leave, sabbatical leave, and many more. Taking leave from work is not the same as an unjustified absence.

Example:

He’s been on leave for a month already, do you think he’s still getting paid?

Annual leave

This is often referred to as “vacation leave” in America or “holiday” in other English-speaking countries. It is the amount of time each employee is allowed to take off work while receiving pay. The minimum annual leave is dictated by law but varies from country to country.

Example:

Some people choose to extend their maternity leave by taking their remaining annual leave just before maternity leave begins.

Absence

Employee absences can be planned or unplanned. The HR team must record, monitor, and review absences. Too many absences from one employee, known as absenteeism, may result in disciplinary action.

Example:

Three unexplained absences in 3 months can be considered employee misconduct.

General human resources vocabulary

Recruitment

Recruitment is the process of finding new employees for your business. It consists of creating a job posting, screening applicant resumes, and interviewing candidates, among other things.

Example:

We have three positions to fill, so recruitment will start over the next few weeks.

Diversity

Diversity refers to the inclusion of people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds, different genders and sexual orientations. HR manages diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and must implement fair recruitment practices, provide diversity training, and create inclusive policies.

Example:

Diversity is at the forefront of the company’s recruitment process.

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution means finding a solution or agreement that both parties are happy with in the case of a dispute. It is vital to ensure a positive working relationship among staff members at all levels.

Example:

We can’t avoid disagreements, but we can manage the outcomes with good conflict-resolution skills.

Shifts

A work schedule in which the employee works outside of typical office hours, or even on a rotating schedule, is called shift work or “shifts.”

Example:

When I work the night shift, I spend most of the day asleep.

Overtime

The additional hours worked by an employee beyond their regular working hours are called “overtime.” These extra hours are often compensated at a higher rate than regular pay, as mandated by labor laws or company policies.

Example:

I’ve been working a lot of overtime to save some money for Christmas.

Harassment

Harassment is repeated abuse, often verbal or psychological, that has an adverse impact on the victim’s physical or mental health. In many cases, this is a fireable offense and can sometimes lead to criminal charges, too.

Example:

She quit her job because of harassment from her boss, but if I were her, I would take it straight to HR.

Abuse of power

Abuse of power is when individuals in a position of power misuse their authority to exert control or manipulate their subordinate colleagues.

Example:

Your boss asking you to do his laundry is an abuse of power, you need to stand up to him.

Hard skills

Skills that are gained through education, training, and experience are called hard skills. These can be measured easily and are usually specific to each type of job.

Example:

My hard skills are centered around computer programming and coding.

Soft skills

Soft skills are capabilities related to communication, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. These skills are hard to measure but are beneficial in most lines of work at the majority of levels within a company.

Example:

My soft skills include problem-solving and adaptability, and I can work well under pressure.

Attrition

Attrition refers to the gradual reduction in the size of a workforce over time, usually due to resignations or retirements.

Example:

Our attrition is higher this year due to several members of our admin staff reaching retirement age.

Turnover

Turnover is the number or percentage of employees that leave a company in a given time period. Unlike attrition, turnover includes both voluntary resignations and employees who are laid off or fired. High turnover reflects poorly on a company and is expensive, whereas low turnover is a competitive advantage, a sign of a stable and attractive workplace.

Example:

We need to make our work environment more appealing to young people to lower our turnover rate.

HRIS (Human Resources Information System)

A Human Resources Information System (HRIS) is software that facilitates the management of HR functions and data, such as employee data management, payroll, benefits administration, and recruitment.

Example:

Thanks to our HRIS, we have a centralized platform for HR activities, which has improved efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making within our organization.

Employee self-service (ESS)

Employee Self-Service is a component of an HRIS. ESS platforms are online systems employees use to manage their personal information, access resources, and perform administrative tasks, thus reducing manual or paper-based processes.

Example:

I have a mobile ESS app where I can access payroll data and manage my benefits.

Why English for HR is paramount

To conclude, HR teams, notably managers, need English to communicate with employees, manage documents, and work with global partners. English helps in hiring, training, and resolving conflicts in the workplace. English is an international language used in business worldwide, so without competent English skills, it would be hard for your company to attract talent, follow laws, or ensure fair treatment.

These skills can be taught by tutors with LiveXP based on your company’s goals and can be adapted to your employees’ needs. This will enable your HR manager and their team to support the company’s goals and create a positive workplace for everyone. Overall, English proficiency in the HR department contributes to the company’s global competitiveness, operational efficiency, and ability to thrive in the interconnected business landscape.