Jargon Buster Letter C

Word
Meaning

Capital

Cash or other assets introduced into a business by the owners.

European Conformity (CE)

The French phrase "Conformité Européene" which literally means "European Conformity". If a product has CE marking it means is complies with the requirments of European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.

Certificate of Incorporation

A legal document issued to a UK company when it is incorporated (registered) with companies house.

Companies House

Incorporates and dissolves limited companies, registers the information companies are legally required to supply and makes that information available to the public.

Company Accounts

Registered companies in the UK are required to prepare annual accounts for Companies house and HMRC every year. They should include profit and loss account, a balance sheet, directors report, auditors report, name and signature of company director.

Company Law

The law that regulates anti-competitive conduct by companies.

Company Limited by Shares

An incorporated company that has shareholders who have limited liability. The shares cannot be offered to the general public, unlike those of a public liability company.

Company Registration number

This is a unique number given to companies once they become incorporated at companies house. Also known as Companies house number.

Company Secretary

An offical who is on the board of directors of a compnay who deals with financial and legal issues.

Competition Law

The law that regulates anti-competitive conduct by companies. Visit Competition & Markets Authority for more information. 

Confidentiality Agreement

A confidentiality agreement (also called a nondisclosure agreement or NDA) is a legally binding contract in which a person or business promises to treat specific information as a trade secret and promises not to disclose the secret to others without proper authorisation.

Confirmation Period/Statement

The annual confirmation statement is a new filing requirement that was introduced on 30th June 2016. It has replaced the annual return (Companies House form AR01) but serves exactly the same purpose in a simplified format. All private limited companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) registered in the United Kingdom must deliver at a confirmation statement to Companies House at least once every 12 months, even if the business is dormant.

Consultation period

The length of time to disuss and consult an employee who is at risk of redundancy. The number of employees at risk will determine the length of time the consultation must be. 0-19 employees minimum 14 days, 20-99 employees minimum 30 days, 100 or more employees a minimum of 45 days.

Contract of employment

A contract of employment is an agreement between an employer and employee and is the basis of the employment relationship.

Contractor

A Contractor provides services to a specific client under specific terms.  A Contractor, however, can either be classed as a worker, an employee or self-employed.

Corporation Tax

Corporation tax is, quite simply, a tax on company profits. Taxable profit is the sum of its income profits and chargeable gains less certain deductible payments that a company may make.

COSHH

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), employers have a duty to prevent or control the exposure of employees to any substances that are hazardous to their health. Employers are also required to carry out an assessment of the risks to employees involved in working with such substances. The COSHH Regulations apply to the self-employed in the same way that they apply to employers.

Credit Rating

An assessment of the credit risk of a potential borrower. Predicting their ability to pay back the debt.

Cyber Crime

A criminal act dealing with computers and networks (called hacking). Additionally, cyber crime also includes traditional crimes conducted through the Internet. For example; hate crimes, telemarketing and Internet fraud, identity theft, and credit card account thefts are considered to be cyber crimes when the illegal activities are committed through the use of a computer and the Internet.

Cyber Security

Protection of systems, networks and data in cyberspace against Cyber crime. This is a critical issue for all businesses.

Cyber Bullying

Using an electronic communication device to bully a person. See Bullying

Conduct Regulator

A regulator will ask companies to improve their conduct policies. They will look at the company and its organisation, the employees and the impact the company has outside the organisation.

Cash Flow Statement

A summary report either of the estimated or actual amount of in comings and outgoing of cash within an organisation in an accounting period such as a month, quarter or year

Consumer Prices Index (CPI)

A measurement of the changes in the price of consumer goods and services.

Career Break

When a person takes a period of time away from employment for various reasons such as raising a child or to take time out for personal or professional development.

Challenging Conversations

When at least two people are engaged in a conversation where their opinions may differ causing emotions to rung strong.

Change Management

The change of the management within an organisation this could be either a change in the management team or how things are managed within the company.

Christmas Holidays

A Christian holiday celebrated around the world. Companies will shut down for a week to give employees time to rest before starting again in the New Year.

Code of Practice

A set of rules in which explains to employees how to work in a professional manor within the work environment.

Collective Bargaining

A negotiation between a company’s management and trade union representing its employees, discussing working conditions such as wages, working hours, working conditions.

Communications

To send out a message, order or notice by using telephone, telegraph, radio, television, email, social media and any channel to get in contact with audiences or a particular individual or group.

Communications in the workplace

The exchange of information between people in the workplace environment.

Compassionate Leave

An authorised absence for personal circumstances

Conditions automatically treated as a disability

A mental or physical disability, which has a long-term effect on a person’s daily life.

Conflict at work

A dispute at a workplace caused by a serious disagreement

Consultation

A meeting taking place to discuss a subject or to get advice or an opinion on the subject

Consulting employees

A consultation meeting between a line manager and employees. See Consultation

Contracts of Employment

A contract that every employee legally needs, stating their role, salary, holiday entitlements, sick pay, rights and more

Conversations

A talk within two or more people where ideas, thoughts and feelings are discussed. People ask questions and answer them or share news or information

Criminal Record Checks

A record of an individual’s criminal history, which is used by employers

E-cigarettes in the workplace

It is up to the employer’s policy if they wish to ban the use of E-cigarettes in the workplace, or to treat them the same as a normal cigarettes.

Marriage and Civil Partnerships

A marriage between two people from either the opposite sex or same sex.

Creditors

An individual or business who owns money