Personnel Meaning and Definition
Personnel
Pronunciation
/ˌpərˈsɒnels/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A personnel is a person who works for an organization, business, or institution, including employees, officers, or other staff members, accountable for specific duties and contributions.
Examples
1. “The company hired additional personnel to meet the increasing demand for their product.”
2. “The HR department is responsible for managing personnel records and benefits.”
Synonyms
1. Staff
2. Employees
3. Workers
4. Team members
Antonyms
1. Management
2. Leadership
Etymology
The word “personnel” originated from the Old French word “personnel”, meaning “of a person”, derived from the Latin “personalis”, which means “of a person”. The term gained widespread use in the 19th century to describe professional employees in organizations.
Usage Notes
The word “personnel” is often used interchangeably with “employees” or “staff”. However, it’s more commonly used in formal or technical contexts, such as HR, administrative, or management settings.
Example: “The personnel department is responsible for conducting background checks on new hires.” vs. “The employees at the company are mainly young professionals.”
Cultural References
Personnel-related phrases have appeared in various works of fiction, such as:
“It’s a personnel matter” in the movie “Meet the Parents” (2000). This phrase illustrates the common use of “personnel” in professional or bureaucratic contexts.
“Personnel report” in the TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-1994). This example showcases the term’s use in a science fiction setting.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
1. “It’s a personnel issue”
2. “Personnel problems”
3. “On personnel matters”
Collocations
1. Personnel manager
2. Personnel file
3. Personnel records
Frequency of Use
The word “personnel” is commonly used in professional, administrative, or bureaucratic contexts, particularly in large organizations, corporations, and government institutions. According to Google Ngram Viewer, the word’s usage has remained relatively stable over the past century.
Common Misspellings
1. Personell
2. Personel
3. Personnel (hyphenated)
Additional Information
Personnel refers to the people working within an organization or institution, encompassing various roles, from entry-level employees to senior management and executives. Personnel management involves planning, staffing, and training to ensure the optimal performance of the workforce.
Globally, the term is used in various contexts, including private, public, and non-profit sectors, government agencies, and religious organizations.
The management of personnel typically involves tasks such as recruitment, selection, training, performance evaluation, compensation, and benefits administration.
Effective personnel practices enable organizations to attract, retain, and motivate high-performing employees, ultimately driving success and growth.
Personnel development programs, including training and professional development opportunities, help employees acquire new skills, advance in their careers, and contribute to organizational goals.
Personnel metrics and data analysis support informed decision-making regarding workforce planning, talent management, and organizational performance.