Undermanned: meaning, definitions and examples
👷♂️
undermanned
[ ˌʌndərˈmænd ]
staffing level
The term 'undermanned' refers to a situation where a team or group is not adequately staffed, which can lead to increased workload and stress for existing personnel. This deficiency can result in decreased efficiency and effectiveness in operations. Commonly used in workplace settings, it indicates that more personnel are needed to meet operational demands. Organizations may experience challenges in meeting their goals and objectives if they remain undermanned for extended periods.
Synonyms
inadequately staffed, overworked, short-staffed, understaffed
Examples of usage
- The department was undermanned during the busy season.
- An undermanned team struggles to meet deadlines.
- The company acknowledged that they were undermanned and started hiring.
Translations
Translations of the word "undermanned" in other languages:
🇵🇹 subdimensionado
🇮🇳 कम संख्या में
🇩🇪 unterbesetzt
🇮🇩 kurang personel
🇺🇦 недоукомплектований
🇵🇱 niedobór personelu
🇯🇵 人手不足
🇫🇷 sous-effectif
🇪🇸 bajo de personal
🇹🇷 yetersiz personel
🇰🇷 인원이 부족한
🇸🇦 نقص في الموظفين
🇨🇿 nedostatečně obsazený
🇸🇰 nedostatočne obsadený
🇨🇳 人手不足
🇸🇮 premalo zaposlenih
🇮🇸 of fámenni
🇰🇿 тапшы кадрлар
🇬🇪 არასაკმარისი პერსონალი
🇦🇿 kadr çatışmazlığı
🇲🇽 falta de personal
Etymology
The word 'undermanned' is a compound word formed by combining 'under,' meaning insufficient or below the required level, and 'manned,' which refers to being staffed by individuals (often male). The historical use of 'man' in this context derives from English military and labor jargon of the 19th and early 20th centuries, where it was common to refer to workforces in masculine terms. Over the years, the term has evolved, but it has retained this basic meaning and connotation of inadequate staffing. Its first recorded uses can be traced back to the early 20th century in various organizational and military contexts, indicating a shortage of personnel, especially in critical situations like wartime or emergencies. Nowadays, the concept of being undermanned applies broadly across different sectors, including business, healthcare, and emergency services, highlighting the importance of adequate staffing for successful operations.