Chapter 12: Building Successful Teams

Performance Appraisal Form

Company form used to rate employee performance during an official evaluation. The manager and employee usually discuss the details of the form and agree on measurable goals for the future. Employees can ask questions and discuss their appraisal before signing and dating the form to acknowledge they agree with the evaluation.

Nonexempt

Describes positions that are not covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and that are therefore not legally entitled to overtime pay or the minimum wage established by the FLSA. Exempt positions are often known as salaried positions, because their compensation is usually based on a set amount per year rather than an hourly wage.

Employee Performance Appraisal

a formal evaluation of a person's work performance over a specific period of time

Employee Manual

a manual handed out to new employees during orientation that includes all of the operation's policies and procedures. An employee manual contains general information about employment, including company policies, rules and procedures, employee benefits, and other topics related to the company. When employees receive the employee manual, they should sign a form stating that they have received it. The employee's signature means that he or she has read the information and agrees to follow the rules and policies it contains.

Profit Sharing

a system in which employees of a company receive a part of that company's profits

Exempt

describes positions that are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); these employees must be paid a minimum wage and overtime for every hour worked over 40 per week.

Job Description

describes positions that are not covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and that are therefore not legally entitled to overtime pay or the minimum wage established by the FLSA. Exempt positions are often known as salaried positions, because their compensation is usually based on a set amount per year rather than an hourly wage.

Training

efforts that improve the skill, knowledge, and attitude of employees for their jobs. Effective training is essential to the productive functioning of an operation and should improve the quality of employee work, promote employee growth, keep employees challenged and satisfied in the organization, and create talent to help the organization grow.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

government agency that enforces laws that ensure everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, religion, national origin, color, or ability/disability, gets a fair chance at any job opening

Discrimination

making a decision based on a prejudice (a general attitude toward a person, group, or organization on the basis of judgments that are unrelated to abilities)

Pension

money a company pays to a retired employee from a fund the employee earned as a benefit while working

Zero-Tolerance Policy

policy in which no violation is forgiven—the offender is disciplined accordingly, up to and including termination. For example, a zero tolerance policy might state that if an employee is caught stealing, the consequence will be immediate termination.

Orientation

process that helps new employees learn about the procedures and policies of the operation and introduces them to their coworkers. The purpose of orientation is to make new employees feel comfortable in their new jobs, to let them know what their responsibilities are, and to make them feel they are part of the team.

Cross-Training

situation in which employees learn the functions of another job within the operation

Child Labor Laws

special laws that offer additional protections for children and youths (minors) to protect them from unsafe conditions in the workplace and from work schedules that may interfere with their education or affect their well-being. Generally, child labor laws restrict the hours young employees can work and the type of work they can do.

Probationary Period

status given to new employees of a company for a certain period of time that allows a manager to evaluate new hires to make sure they are good, reliable workers who fit in with coworkers and the business. A probationary period allows an employer to terminate a new employee who is not working out for the company.

Onboarding

the process a company uses to integrate new employees into an organization, the goal being to give the company a better chance at making sure the people they hire stay in their jobs

On-the-job Training

the teaching of skills that are easily demonstrated and practiced while working, such as preparing menu items, operating cash registers, and using tools and equipment. It is a popular form of training that allows the trainer to monitor employee progress, give feedback, comment about or correct an action or process, and correct tasks that are not being done properly. There are four steps to on-the-job training: (1) prepare, (2) present, (3) practice, and (4) follow-up.