HR is hot. HR is in. HR is everything, these days. But most people do not know how to write it out. The thing is human resources is always written like this. It is a noun which always takes the plural when meaning people's skills and abilities, seen as something that an organisation can make use of. It is never human resource. However, when meaning a department in an organisation that deals with employing and training of people, both singular and plural can be used. Preferably the latter. But then it becomes more a question of style than usage. Incorrect usage in the Financial Express (Attrition rates high among HR professionals; April 19, 2007) [Link]:
Human resource (HR) professionals in companies, who are expected to play a crucial role in healthy management practices that will help lower attrition rates, are themselves witnessing one of the highest attrition rates of nearly 70-80%, according to industry experts. Mudit Mehrotra, project leader, Grow Talent Company, an HR consultancy firm, gives an instance of high attrition rates among HR pros.
Incorrect usage in the Times of India (Nath gives incentives to hi-tech products; April 20, 2007) [Link]:
While the idea is to leverage the human resource capability to offer services, the intention is to corner 20-25% of the market. But the details are still awaited with Nath just flagging the issue and saying that the Centre and states need to initiate steps.
Correct usage in Hindustan Times (Nitish to inspire from Gujarat; April 19, 2007) [Link]:
But the Deputy Chief Minister is undaunted. "I know Bihar does not bear comparison with developed states. But that is all the more reason to learn. The inputs I have got will be discussed with the Chief Minister and suitable initiatives in human resources development, agriculture, sanitation, panchayat raj institutions, water management and e-governance could be adopted."
Correct usage in Financial Express (Comparitive advantages and jobs; April 20, 2007) [Link]
India can become competitive in some of these industries, given our pool of trained human resources. While India has developed a niche in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, auto parts and some segments of automobiles, opportunities have been grossly missed in toys, consumer electronics and ICT hardware that are labour-intensive.
The Union government's HRD Ministry spells itself out like this: Human resource development. And since both singular and plural are correct when it comes to describing a departmental entity, one should write it the way the ministry spells it out. Therefore, the Telegraph is incorrect one day (B-school course for teachers; April 17, 2007) [Link]
A brainchild of the ministry of human resources development, the programme is meant for promising engineers — potential top management candidates — working in the manufacturing sector. Besides the new courses, the institute has on offer a slew of short-term programmes on leadership and team-building, and managerial effectiveness in community and sexual health.
The same newspaper is correct on another day (Ready to roll with lesson plan; April 20, 2007) [Link]:
Today, Union human resource development minister Arjun Singh, who was in Ranchi to attend the Ranchi University convocation, attended a district-level meeting of the campaign. Singh also announced the start of the state-level campaign from April 17.
