Every profession develops its own language, and we’re no different in HR. However, the prevalence of ‘HR Speak’ can do some serious damage to our credibility. It doesn’t make sense to our internal customers, which means it confuses and alienates them, and it throws up a communication barrier. Jargon doesn’t make us seem more important, it makes us seem self-important. What’s more, if we’re honest, we don’t always know what we mean ourselves when we come out with some of our descriptions and euphemisms. ‘Talent acquisition strategies’, ‘human capital’, ‘PDRs’, ‘HR Transformation’ — let’s have the confidence to use language that creates rapport instead. With this in mind, here’s a tongue in cheek (but with a serious undertone) tour through a rogues’ gallery of HR jargon words and phrases. (NB: I have used all of these at one time or another – so no higher moral ground I promise you!)
HR Transformation
When we use this in the context of enterprise-wide system implementation it doesn’t transform HR, it only creates misery. So don’t use it.
Talent acquisition
When did saying ‘recruiting/hiring people’ become defunct? Everyone knows what ‘recruiting’ means, so why do we feel the need to jazz it up in order to make ourselves seem more important?
Performance review
This is as unpleasant as it sounds.
All acronyms
PDRs, HCM, LMSs — avoid the lot.
Probation
For criminals – not new members of staff.
Career paths
They don’t exist anymore. They’re just careers.
Onboarding
Sounds like ‘waterboarding’. Even aside from that, it’s a horrible expression.
Talent management
Isn’t this just what HR does? Why try to turn it into something special?
Compensation and benefits
Too 1970s, and it makes it seem as if our employees are claiming for something.
Competencies
Too 1980s.
Inclusion
Yet another attempt to re-brand equality and diversity. Some companies call it by another acronym — ED&I — just to really confuse everyone.
Performance improvement plan
A pseudonym for sacking.
HR Business Partner
Doesn’t this just reveal our lack of confidence? We should be leading the people element of business divisions, not desperately trying to look as if we’re partners on equal terms.
Human capital management
Another delightful way in which HR turns people into numbers.
When we in HR put people at a distance by using jargon, we find it that much harder to get them on our side, and even worse, leave ourselves open to ridicule. Let’s start talking like the human beings we are.
