I'd note that the whole point of "human resources", at least from what I've read of Drucker, was to encourage managers in the 40-50's that workers are not chattel or "helpers", they should be invested in as they provide value through their knowledge.
The purpose was to raise the value of humans in capitalism, and to evolve the personnel department's clerks and union fighters into career planners. admittedly it doesn't always work that way, (I don't like project managers calling people "resources" either)... Stu Sent from my iPhone On 22-Nov-07, at 12:05 PM, "Gervas Douglas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 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 Answer: not corporate, American jargon, so the Brits think it's out of date and passé.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 >
