An action code is part of each employee transaction initiated by a change in an employee's job record. These changes are made to employee data resulting from such activities or transactions as promotions, transfers, salary increases, leaves of absence and terminations. Each activity is reflected by an action code to update employee data.

Each transaction is related to a specific job code. The action code is used to describe the type of action that is being recorded. This change may or may not change the human resources status and payroll status.