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At our office, people are often referred to as "resources." If another team member's assistance is needed, instead of referring to that person by name, a lot of people just refer to that other person as another resource.
I find this dehumanizing and impersonal, and do not like being referred to as simply a resource. Do you have problems with that?
Well, here's the problem with language changes and attempts at political correctness and enhanced sensitivity. The term "human resources" (to refer to the department in a company that handles employees) was invented to replace "the personnel office" because it was supposedly more positive, humanizing, and it recognized that people/employees are valuable assets to a company. Now we have people (like the OP) who see the term as insulting, so I'm sure it will eventually change to something else, supposedly more positive, that will then be viewed as negative a few years later.
On a one-on-one level, yes, I have heard people refer to me as a great resource for this or that. No, I take it as a compliment and not dehumanizing. I might hear "TracySam is a great resource for any information about healthcare privacy" or "TracySam, you're an excellent resource for educating therapists about professional ethics." Those are compliments. People often contact me because some other respected professional identified me as a useful resource. How can that be dehumanizing? They aren't "using" me and they always thank me for my help. Plus they talk about me as a good "resource" and add to my professional reputation, and that also helps me in my career.
Actually, just the opposite...I would consider it a compliment that someone thought of me as a "resource"--especially in an office environment. It would make me feel that others thought that I am an intelligent hard working employee who people rely on to come for help when they need answers.
I do tend to think that "Human Resources" instead of "Personnel" is on the same plane as "Sanitation Engineer" instead of "Garbage Collector." But I can't say it's ever really bothered me to be called a "resource." After all, a "resource" is something that can be used to make something desirable, so I suppose being considered a "resource" is a compliment.
Actually, just the opposite...I would consider it a compliment that someone thought of me as a "resource"--especially in an office environment. It would make me feel that others thought that I am an intelligent hard working employee who people rely on to come for help when they need answers.
Agree with this ^, it it implies my skills are useful.
It sounds like something I wouldn't give a second thought to.
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Well, here's the problem with language changes and attempts at political correctness and enhanced sensitivity. The term "human resources" (to refer to the department in a company that handles employees) was invented to replace "the personnel office" because it was supposedly more positive, humanizing, and it recognized that people/employees are valuable assets to a company. Now we have people (like the OP) who see the term as insulting, so I'm sure it will eventually change to something else, supposedly more positive, that will then be viewed as negative a few years later.
On a one-on-one level, yes, I have heard people refer to me as a great resource for this or that. No, I take it as a compliment and not dehumanizing. I might hear "TracySam is a great resource for any information about healthcare privacy" or "TracySam, you're an excellent resource for educating therapists about professional ethics." Those are compliments. People often contact me because some other respected professional identified me as a useful resource. How can that be dehumanizing? They aren't "using" me and they always thank me for my help. Plus they talk about me as a good "resource" and add to my professional reputation, and that also helps me in my career.
We were personnel when I started. Then we became human resources.
Now we have changed to "human capital". I laughed when I heard it.
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