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Personnel: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
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personnel

 

[หŒpษœหsษ™หˆnel ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

human resources

The people who work for an organization or company.

Synonyms

employees, staff, workforce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personnel

Use 'personnel' in a formal or official context, usually when talking about employees in an organization collectively, especially in administrative documents or reports.

  • The company is currently restructuring its personnel.
  • All personnel must attend the mandatory safety training next week.
staff

Use 'staff' in a more personal or operational context, typically referring to the team of people working at a specific location or for a specific function within an organization.

  • The restaurant staff are very friendly and helpful.
  • We are looking for new staff to join our customer service team.
employees

Use 'employees' when referring to individuals who work for a company or organization, especially in general or informal conversations.

  • The company hired 50 new employees last month.
  • Employees are entitled to benefits after six months of work.
workforce

Use 'workforce' when referring to the total number of people employed by a company or within an economic sector, often in discussions about labor markets, economic policies, or large-scale employment statistics.

  • The manufacturing sector's workforce has significantly decreased over the last decade.
  • The company's workforce is highly skilled and diverse.

Examples of usage

  • The personnel department is responsible for hiring new employees.
  • All personnel must undergo training before starting their new roles.
Context #2 | Noun

military

The people who work in a military organization.

Synonyms

military staff, soldiers, troops.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personnel

This word is used in a general work or company setting to refer to all the employees or staff members involved in a particular organization or department.

  • All personnel must attend the mandatory safety training next week.
  • The company is hiring new personnel for the IT department.
troops

This term is generally used to refer to a group or unit of soldiers, often in the context of larger military operations. It can also informally refer to military personnel in general.

  • The government sent more troops to support the peacekeeping mission.
  • The commander addressed the troops, boosting their morale before the mission.
soldiers

This word specifically refers to enlisted men and women who serve in the army, focusing on those who are actively involved in combat roles.

  • The soldiers were deployed to the front lines to secure the area.
  • Many soldiers train rigorously to be prepared for any mission.
military staff

This term is specific to military settings and refers to the officers and enlisted personnel who are part of the administrative and operational support of a military unit or headquarters.

  • The general held a meeting with his military staff to discuss the upcoming operation.
  • Military staff are responsible for planning and executing military operations.

Examples of usage

  • The personnel on the base are trained to handle various situations.
  • Military personnel often have to relocate frequently for their assignments.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the French word 'personnel,' which means 'personal' or 'of a person'.
  • The original Latin root 'persona' refers to an individual or character, highlighting the focus on people.
  • The term started gaining prominence in English around the early 20th century, reflecting the growing importance of human resources.

Human Resources

  • Personnel management evolved into human resource management, emphasizing employee experience and development.
  • Effective personnel practices can lead to a 21% increase in productivity according to various business studies.
  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives are now critical focuses for personnel departments, driving better teamwork and innovation.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, personnel decisions are made through consensus, reflecting communal values.
  • The concept of 'personnel' differs globally; in Japan, for example, lifetime employment is a traditional practice.
  • HR practices vary widely; Western companies often focus on performance metrics, while Eastern firms may emphasize employee loyalty.

Literature

  • In literature, personnel often refers to ensemble casts, where diverse characters contribute to a story's richness.
  • Many managerial theories emerge in novels exploring corporate dynamics and the role of personnel in organizational success.
  • Classic tales, like Charles Dickens' 'Hard Times,' showcase the struggles of workers as personnel in an industrial setting.

Technology

  • With digital transformation, personnel management now involves significant use of HR software for efficiency.
  • Data analytics in HR has revolutionized how personnel decisions are made by predicting employee performance and retention.
  • Automation in recruitment processes is becoming common, streamlining the way companies interact with personnel.

Translations

Translations of the word "personnel" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pessoal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฐเฅเคฎเคšเคพเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Personal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ personel

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะตั€ัะพะฝะฐะป

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ personel

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไบบๅ“ก

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท personnel

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ personal

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท personel

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ธ์›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูˆุธููˆู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ personรกl

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ personรกl

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไบบๅ‘˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ osebje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ starfsfรณlk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟะตั€ัะพะฝะฐะป

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒ”แƒ แƒกแƒแƒœแƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ heyษ™t

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ personal

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,422, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.