The difference between people and human resources is that people have brains. People don't need a company policy on how to ascend stairs (stay left, hold the handrail at all times, look straight ahead). People can figure that out for themselves. Human resources, on the other hand, are dumb as a box of hammers. They need everything spelled out.  Human resources are basically office equipment with legs. They're talking furniture. In fact, they're worse than furniture, because at least furniture stays where you put it. It doesn't have body odor, or forward chain e-mails, or stop by to tell you about its sick cat.  The Department of Health in New York has taken a lot of heat over the last two weeks for its "Life in the Cubicle Village" memo, a set of excruciatingly detailed guidelines for employees moving into its new offices in Queens this month. Some found it insulting to receive instructions on how to, for example, tell a co-worker they're busy ("I'm in the middle of something. May I drop by or call you later [give a specific time]?"). Or to be told to avoid eavesdropping on cubicle neighbors ("If that fails, at least resist the urge to add your comments.").  Some thought the specifications on acceptable light snacks during meetings ("drinks cannot contain more than 25 calories per 8 ounces") to be a little heavy on the micromanagement.  But these rules are totally necessary. Have you ever worked in an office? Then you know what I'm talking about. Some of these human resources are animals. If there weren't company guidelines on how to navigate the revolving front door (wait for people inside to fully exit before stepping in), they'd never get past the lobby.
There are two types of employee: people and human resources. It's easy to tell which one you are.If your boss says, "Todd, please have your team reach a final decision," you're a person. If she