Personnel

/ˌpɜːrsəˈnɛl/ noun

Definition

The people who work for an organization, company, or military group. It can also refer to the department that manages employees and their records.

Etymology

From French “personnel” meaning “staff,” based on “personne” (person). It was borrowed into English especially in military and business contexts.

Kelly Says

‘Personnel’ sounds formal because it came through French, the traditional language of bureaucracy and the military. It’s a reminder that when organizations talk about ‘personnel,’ they’re looking at people in their role as resources, not as private individuals.

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