Robert, Without wishing to appear self-righteously respectful, I must say I agree with you on this one. "Human Resources" suggests a relationship bordering on slavery. "Human Remains" was how one of our VPs Europe at Novell referred to that department. What was wrong with "personnel"? Answer: not corporate, American jargon, so the Brits think it's out of date and passé. Another modern corporate expression I dislike is the use of "compensation" instead of "remuneration". The former implies that an employee has to be compensated for doing an unpleasant or harmful task.
Gervas --- In [email protected], "Rob Eamon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > From a rant I posted at http://wmusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1485 > > There are various diatribes around the 'net decrying the use of the > term "resource" to refer to people. Thought this forum, laden as it > is with consulting "resources", might enjoy another version of the > complaint. > > re-source > > from American Heritage Dictionary > 1. Something that can be used for support or help: The local library > is a valuable resource. > 2. An available supply that can be drawn on when needed. Often used > in the plural. > 3. The ability to deal with a difficult or troublesome situation > effectively; initiative: a person of resource. > 4. Means that can be used to cope with a difficult situation. Often > used in the plural: needed all my intellectual resources for the > exam. > > from Oxford English Dictionary > 1. a stock or supply of materials or assets that can be drawn on in > order to function effectively > 2. a country's collective means of supporting itself or becoming > wealthier, as represented by its minerals, land, and other assets > 3. personal attributes and capabilities that sustain one in adverse > circumstances > 4. an action or thing resorted to > > from WordNet, Princeton University > 1. available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be > drawn upon when needed > 2. a source of aid or support that may be drawn upon when > needed; "the local library is a valuable resource" > 3. the ability to deal resourcefully with unusual problems; "a man of > resource" > > from Merriam-Webster Dictionary > 1. a. a source of supply or support : an available means -- usually > used in plural > b. a natural source of wealth or revenue -- often used in plural > c. computable wealth -- usually used in plural > d. a source of information or expertise > 2. something to which one has recourse in difficulty : EXPEDIENT > 3. a possibility of relief or recovery > 4. a means of spending one's leisure time > 5. an ability to meet and handle a situation : RESOURCEFULNESS > > None of these definitions states that a person is a resource. > > I am not a load of gravel, a bag of nails, or a cruise missile. > > A resource is something we use, a thing without feelings, opinions or > goals. A resource is a tool, a raw material, or a finished product. > Using the word "resource" to refer to a person is insulting, > disrespectful, and dehumanizing. People are resourceful and bring > those resources to their work but they themselves are not resources. > > I am not a resource. > > -Rob >
