| Word | Description |
| Qualified disabled person | A qualified disabled person is an individual with a disability who is capable of performing a particular job, with or without reasonable accommodation. |
| Qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) | An order, decree, judgment or administrative notice (including a settlement agreement) that establishes the rights of another person (the “alternate payee”) to benefits; issued by a domestic relations court or other court of competent jurisdiction or through an administrative process established under state law. |
| Qualified Individual with a Handicap(s) | An individual with handicaps (see above) who is capable of performing a particular job, with or without reason-able accommodation to his or her handicap. Reasonable Accommodation (Section 503) (a) Any modification or adjustment to a job application process that enables a qualified individual with handicaps to be considered for the position such qualified individual desires, and which will not impose an undue hardship on the contractor's business (see, "Undue Hardship" below); or (b) Any modification or adjustment to the work environment, or to the manner or circumstances under which the position held or desired is customarily performed, that enables a qualified individual with handicaps to perform the essential functions of the position, and which will not impose an undue hardship on the operation of the contractor's business; or (c) Any modification that enables a contractor's employee with handicaps to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by its other similary situated employees without handicaps, and which will not impose an undue hardship on the operation of the contractor's business. Reasonable accommodation may include but is not limited to: (1) Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps; (2) Job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; (3) Reassignment to a vacant position; (4) Acquisition or modifications of equipment or devices; (5) Appropriate adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials, or policies; (8) the provision of qualified readers or interpreters; and, (7) other similar accommodations for individuals with handicaps. To determine the appropriate reasonable accommodation it may be necessary for the contractor to initiate an informal, interactive process with the qualified individual with a handicap in need of the accommodation. This process should identify the precise limitations resulting from the disability and potential reasonable accommodations that could overcome those limitations. Compare with "Religious Accommodation." |
| Qualified medical child support order (QMCSO) | An order, decree, judgment or administrative notice (including a settlement agreement) requiring health coverage for a child; issued by a domestic relations court or other court of competent jurisdiction or through an administrative process established under state law. |
| Qualified plan | A defined benefit or defined contribution pension plan covered by ERISA and IRS regulations qualifying for certain tax advantages for both the employer and the participant. |
| Qualified Special Disabled Veteran | A special disabled veteran who is capable of performing a particular job with or without a reasonable accommodation to his or her disability. |
| Quality assurance | Activities or programs whose purpose is to demonstrate and ensure that products and services meet specifications and are consistently of high quality. |
| Quality audit | The process of examining the elements of a quality management system in order to evaluate how well they comply with quality system specifications. |
| Quality circle | A carefully selected group of employees who voluntarily meet on a regular basis to identify problems and make recommendation by using various techniques for analyzing and solving work-related problems. |
| Quality control | Activities or programs whose purpose is to ensure that all quality specifications for products or services are being met and are of consistently high quality. |
| Quality improvement | Any system or process designed to enhance an organization's ability to meet quality requirements. |
| Quid pro quo | Legal terminology essentially meaning “what for what” or “something for something.” It is the concept of getting something of value in exchange for giving something of value. |
| Quid pro quo harassment | Quid pro harassment involves expressed or implied demands for sexual favors in exchange for some benefit (a promotion, pay increase, etc.) or to avoid some detriment (termination, demotion, etc.) in the workplace. By definition, it can only be perpetrated by someone in a position of power or authority over another (i.e., manager or supervisor over a subordinate). |
| Quit | A voluntary resignation from employment that is initiated by the employee. |
| Quota system | In affirmative action systems, it is a means of attempting to achieve workplace balance by hiring and/or promoting specified numbers or ratios of minorities or women in positions from which they have been excluded. |