HR Tool Buyers Guide & Glossary
Selecting a new HR tool can be a daunting task. The HR tech landscape has evolved dramatically over the last decade, and buyers now need to understand not only the Human Resources space but also a range of other terms that have become part of the industry lingo. It's important for buyers and HR professionals to have a good grasp of these terms to make informed decisions, spending more time on what is helpful and less time noting what to Google later. To help you feel more confident when searching for software to foster a positive workplace culture, we’ve assembled this glossary of terms used in our product and others in the HR tech workplace-culture space.
Glossary
This list is not meant to be comprehensive but to provide the terms that we think are relevant and trending in the HR tech space related to shaping workplace culture.
Behavioral Terms
Affinity Bias
the tendency to favor individuals who share similar interests, backgrounds, or experiences in the workplace...
Nudge Theory
Nudge theory, a Nobel Prize-winning body of work, involves small interventions that subtly encourage people to make decisions in their best interests without restricting their choices
Unconscious Bias
Implicit attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding, actions, and decisions unconsciously
Gamification
Applying game-design elements and principles in non-game contexts to increase engagement and motivation.
Behavioral Economics
understanding how psychological, social, and emotional factors influence employees' economic decisions and behaviors
Cultural Safety
environmental factors where individuals feel safe and valued, regardless of their cultural background
Psychological Safety
Ensuring that employees feel safe to express themselves without fear of negative consequences
Loneliness
The feeling of being isolated or disconnected from others, often experienced in remote work environments
Behavioral Science
how human behavior impacts workplace dynamics, influencing decisions, interactions, and overall organizational culture.
Mindfulness in the Workplace
A meditative approach where awareness of one's internal states and surroundings allows them to be more present in the moment.
Burnout
A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwork
Game design
The process of creating the content and rules of a game to provide an engaging experience for players
Workplace Culture
Hybrid Work Environment
A flexible working model that allows employees to divide their time between working remotely and in-office, fostering adaptability and work-life balance.
Water-cooler
A term for casual workplace conversations, often unplanned, that occur around communal spaces and foster camaraderie and spontaneous idea-sharing.
Employee Recognition Programs
Structured initiatives implemented by organizations to formally acknowledge and reward employee contributions, enhancing morale and engagement.
Kudos
A simple, often informal expression of appreciation or recognition for someone's efforts, achievements, or contributions in the workplace.
Peer Recognition
A form of employee acknowledgment where colleagues appreciate and celebrate each other’s contributions, fostering a supportive team environment.
Employee Wellness program/ Employee Assistance Program
A set of initiatives aimed at supporting employees' physical, mental, and emotional health, often including counseling, fitness plans, and stress management resources.
Virtual Coffee
An online social meeting, often informal, where colleagues connect and chat over video calls to build relationships and foster team bonding.
Team Building
Activities and exercises designed to strengthen collaboration, communication, and trust among team members in the workplace.
Emerging Trends and Keywords
Quiet Quitting
Employees doing the bare minimum required of their roles without going above and beyond
Water-cooler
A term for casual workplace conversations, often unplanned, that occur around communal spaces and foster camaraderie and spontaneous idea-sharing.
Employee Recognition Programs
Structured initiatives implemented by organizations to formally acknowledge and reward employee contributions, enhancing morale and engagement.
Digital Presenteeism
The pressure to appear active and online during work hours in remote environments.
Peer Recognition
A form of employee acknowledgment where colleagues appreciate and celebrate each other’s contributions, fostering a supportive team environment.
Employee Wellness program/ Employee Assistance Program
A set of initiatives aimed at supporting employees' physical, mental, and emotional health, often including counseling, fitness plans, and stress management resources.
Virtual Coffee
An online social meeting, often informal, where colleagues connect and chat over video calls to build relationships and foster team bonding.
Team Building
Activities and exercises designed to strengthen collaboration, communication, and trust among team members in the workplace.
HR Tech
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Technology that enables machines to mimic human intelligence and perform tasks like learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Chatbot
An AI-powered software that can simulate conversations with users through text or voice.
Integration
The process of combining different systems and software to work together seamlessly.
SSO (Single Sign-On)
A system that allows users to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials.
UX
The overall experience a person has when interacting with a product or service, focusing on ease of use and satisfaction.
ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
A tool to streamline the recruitment and hiring process.
Cloud-based
Services and storage provided over the internet rather than through physical hardware on-site
eNPS
A metric that measures employee loyalty and satisfaction by asking how likely they are to recommend their workplace to others.
Onboarding
The process of integrating and acclimating new employees into an organization.
Automation
The use of technology to perform tasks without human intervention.
People Analytics
The practice of collecting and analyzing employee data to improve HR decision-making.
Blockchain for HR
A decentralized digital ledger that securely records transactions across multiple computers.
HRIS
Software that helps manage HR tasks like payroll, benefits, and employee data.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
A software distribution model where applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers over the internet.
Microsoft Teams
A collaboration platform by Microsoft that integrates chat, video meetings, file sharing, and app integrations to streamline workplace communication and productivity.
LMS (Learning Management System)
Systems aimed at improving employee skills and knowledge.
Now that you’re more acquainted with the terms used in the workplace culture space, the next step in your buyer’s journey is to determine exactly what your goals are.
When choosing a solution for your organization’s current and future needs, it's essential to establish what you are trying to achieve. It's tempting to select a vendor based on popularity, the most features, or the lowest price, but it's crucial to make a decision that considers:
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Your organization’s uniqueness and the type of support you will receive
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Focusing on the features that truly matter rather than those you will never use
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Prioritizing value over price, as the real cost lies in solutions that don’t offer impact
Most importantly, take action. Doing nothing will certainly achieve nothing.