Definitions of Personnel Management

Abstract

Personnel management is that part of management concerned with the management of people at work. However, like many things in life, reality is more complicated. In this introductory chapter, we shall attempt some initial definitions: Most organisations have a specialist personnel department which gives support to managers and supervisors, who have direct responsibility for the management of people. A wide range of people — personnel specialists, line managers and supervisors — practise personnel management. There are a number of specialist management techniques which together comprise personnel management. The practice of personnel management varies greatly from one organisation to another. This chapter examines each of these four points. By the end you should have a general awareness of the nature and complexity of personnel management and of some of the reasons for this.