Is it rude to refer to someone as a “resource”

[wpl]

I share an office with my manager, so overhear almost all calls. He received a call from his manager. He was giving my manager a task to complete, and then decided it was better if someone lower down the ranks did it. So he told my boss to “use your resource to do it”. For context, he knows other people’s names but evidently forgot mine so decided to call me a “resource”

I hate the term "resource" as agree with you that it is dehumanising, but it's a total normal word to use in this context in a business setting, so not rude from this perspective. (And unless you are the only person that can do this particular task using the generic term "resource" means he's not assuming you will do it - just someone in your manager's team).

Not rude at all, usual business language.

As a teacher I say that support staff are the best resource we have. But I would never refer to a person as such. I would use their name or role. It's rude and derogatory.

I’ve definitely heard “resources” and think that’s fine, but when he clearly had me in mind? Why couldn’t he say use X or my job title

Yes, definitely rude. Also possibly 'normal' for that context but still rude.

Referring to you specifically as a resource is bloody rude IMO.

I don't like it but unfortunately it has become standard corporate language since Personnel departments got re-branded as "Human Resources" sometime in the 90s.

I think that was rude as he was talking about a specific person. Coupled with 'use' rather than 'ask'. He could have said 'ask Jane/ your EA to do it'.

I'm under no illusion that management will just see people like that but to actually hear them say it would annoy me.

Yes, and that was probably not a good change of emphasis.

I read it as “skilled person” so don’t see it as an insult or rude at all

I think it is rude but he also seems like a bit of a micromanaging dick anyway so wouldn't take it personally. I've been referred to as my boss's 'team' before even though there is only me in it! That's annoying too. But its all just Office Business Industry nonsense isn't it.

In work we are all resources of one kind or another, even the management. I wouldn't think it rude, tbh.

I think its more polite than saying "use wpl" to use it. It depersonifies it - the manager can choose which underling to use :)

Not when describing an individual whose name you know, it isn't. It is widely used when referring to groups of people I agree.

People in general are resources in a business context, but no, I would not refer to a particular person as a "resource" as opposed to "your junior colleague", "what's her name again?", "the dark-haired lady" or some other way of identifying you if they couldn't remember your name.

If it is then HR will need a total rebrand.