The debate as to what human resources practitioners should call themselves has raged for some time. HR or personnel?
Should the function's job titles rebrand as talent officers, business partners or something else? Does it really matter?
Personnel Today's Editor Karen Dempsey even wrote a feature earlier this year examining the issue and gathering feedback from the profession.
My personal favourite in the feature was one comment from a senior public sector HR director. "Never has so much time and energy been wasted on such utter b******s," he said.
But the issue rumbles us. Management consultant Scott McArthur has continued the debate on his blog with various ideas and comment from fellow bloggers.
He is even running an online poll on the subject with some interesting options.
The Americanisation of job titles in the HR sector is growing - witness the Chief People Officer title favoured by a few senior practioners.
If I worked in HR, the ideal sign hanging on the door to my unfeasibly large office would be Junior Vice President, Happiness Department. Anyone care to beat that?
Comments (1)
Oh for goodness sake, let's get a grip.
What's your magazine called, Personnel Today, mmm then I guess that's what we are are Personnel Officers/Professionals, whatever.
Problem solved.
If anyone wants the pretentious titles enjoyed in the States, get a green card.
Posted by Mollie Harrison | November 14, 2007 4:10 PM
Posted on November 14, 2007 16:10