'Human Resources' is an Americanism that spread from MBA types and universities. It is basically a dehumanising term which equates people to computers, office furniture and machinery. Once you define people as a commodity it is easier for Boardrooms to treat them as such. Sort of stuff bean counters love as they punch away at their calculators. HR people are learned and practiced in the art of manipulating employees towards Company ends. Propoganda is part of their toolbox of tricks. You may know that a company is becoming more 'people oriented' when they denounce these practices and move back towards 'Staff' departments.