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Do people outside HR know what we mean by the 'People Profession'?

Jonny

My wife, a teacher, has quizzed me on the phrase 'the people profession'. It's a term we use a lot at the CIPD, to include HR, L&D and OD professionals. Her comment was that as a teacher, she's a people professional too - and I see her point. Indeed, any one of a number of professions could be described as 'people professions'. Is it a term you use, as an HR, L&D or OD professional? And is it a term that your colleagues outside of HR tend to understand & recognise? 

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  • I just realised I didn't answer the question directly - so -to answer the question directly, then the answer is "NO".

    And the reason is quite simple. When I asked my wife who was for many years a sought after management trainer./consultant and later on a Relate trainer, she couldn't think of any profession which could be considered "a people profession,"  she couldn't come up with anything until with some prompting she came up with, psychotherapist, counsellor, trainer, social worker, teacher (if you are good). When I suggested "Personnel?", she replied;- "What? - HR? Its all about policies, procedures, & employment law....... and most HR people only line manage a handful  of staff."

    Where and how did this profession start referring to itself as 'the people profession'.

    What evidence is there that we are experts in people above any other profession?

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  • I just realised I didn't answer the question directly - so -to answer the question directly, then the answer is "NO".

    And the reason is quite simple. When I asked my wife who was for many years a sought after management trainer./consultant and later on a Relate trainer, she couldn't think of any profession which could be considered "a people profession,"  she couldn't come up with anything until with some prompting she came up with, psychotherapist, counsellor, trainer, social worker, teacher (if you are good). When I suggested "Personnel?", she replied;- "What? - HR? Its all about policies, procedures, & employment law....... and most HR people only line manage a handful  of staff."

    Where and how did this profession start referring to itself as 'the people profession'.

    What evidence is there that we are experts in people above any other profession?

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