Positions in Oracle HCM: A Detailed Overview

What is a Position?

A position in Oracle HCM represents a specific job role within a business unit, defining its reporting structure, hiring status, and workforce planning attributes. Unlike jobs, positions remain active even when unoccupied, ensuring continuity in the organization’s structure.


Key Aspects of Positions in Oracle HCM

1. Position Hierarchy & Reporting

  • Parent Position: Determines the higher-level role in the hierarchy.
  • Manager Assignment: The incumbent of the parent position automatically becomes the line manager for employees assigned to this position.

2. Business Unit & Location Association

  • Business Unit: Defines which division or department the position belongs to.
  • Location: Specifies the geographical work location.

3. Hiring Status Options

Status Description
Proposed The position is still under planning and cannot be used for hiring.
Frozen The position exists but is temporarily unavailable for new assignments.
Approved The position is finalized and open for hiring.

4. Position Types & Assignment Rules

Position Type Who Can Hold the Position?
None Cannot be assigned to any employee.
Single Incumbent Only one employee can hold this position at a time.
Shared Multiple employees can share the same position.
Pooled Can be assigned to any number of employees, depending on headcount limits.

5. Workforce Planning & Control

  • FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): Determines workload distribution across assignments.
  • Headcount: Specifies how many employees can hold the position.
  • Security Clearance: Ensures that medical or background checks are completed before hiring.
  • Probation Period: Defines the trial period for new hires.

6. Position Delegation & Temporary Assignments

  • Delegate Position: Allows another employee to temporarily take over a vacant managerial role.
  • Overlap Allowed:
    • Yes: More than one employee can hold the position simultaneously.
    • No: The position can only be assigned to one person at a time.
  • Seasonal Positions: Created for temporary roles that exist only during certain periods (e.g., summer sales reps).

7. Position Management & Synchronization

  • Positions can inherit attributes from associated jobs, departments, and locations.
  • If an employee resigns, the position remains active, ensuring team stability.
  • Position updates (e.g., job, department changes) can be done without disrupting existing assignments.

8. Key Benefits of Using Positions in Oracle HCM

✔ Enhances workforce planning and reporting efficiency.
✔ Supports structured career progression and reporting hierarchies.
✔ Improves hiring control and workforce tracking.

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