Human Resources is a horrible inhuman phrase and it’s time we got rid of it. People are not resources, they are humans.
A resource is something that you use up to achieve in an end. This inhuman way of mechanising people started started in the industrial revolution and has continued in call centres and sweat shops today. The term HR is not neutral – it sets up a particular way of viewing human beings. Comparing people with “resources” such as staplers and company cars insulting.
So what else to call Human Resources? “Human Capital” also makes me want to puke. “Personnel” makes it sound like the army (another dumb business metaphor), People Management is as bad (if an employee gets cancer you don’t “manage” that). “Care Department” is a bit too fluffy even for me….”What Matters” is apt but abstract. “Hiring, Lying and Firing”…OK now I’m getting cynical 🙂 How about we just cut the crap and call the people that deal with people People. Other offers are welcome my little Blog Resources…I mean people.
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Human Resources So What: Please contact Deed Poll – your name is horrid