10 Other Ways to Say “Man-Hours”

In today’s diverse and inclusive workplaces, it’s important to use language that makes everyone feel included. The term “man-hours” is commonly used but it’s not suitable for all audiences as it focuses on one gender.

This article lists ten other ways to describe the amount of work done without focusing on gender. These alternatives can help you communicate more effectively and inclusively in a professional setting.

Is “Man-Hours” Politically Correct?

In project management, the term “man-hours” is often used to describe how much work a person can do in an hour. While the term is widely understood and has been used for a long time, it may not be considered politically correct by all due to its gender-specific language. It is, however, seen as professional and formal, fitting into business communications where precise estimates of time and effort are required.

“Man-hours” fits best in settings where traditional project management language is expected and is usually best used with recipients who are accustomed to this type of terminology. However, when communicating across more diverse or international teams, or in mediums that are public or client-facing, it might be preferable to choose more inclusive language.

Email example:

Greetings Team,

As we proceed with the project timeline, I have calculated the required man-hours to complete our next phase. We're looking at approximately 120 man-hours to finalize the design process.

Please adjust your schedules accordingly.

Best regards,
Mark Thompson

Pros:

• The term is widely understood in many industries.
• It conveys a specific measurement of work effort.

Cons:

• It is not gender-neutral, which can be seen as exclusive.
• Its use might be considered outdated in modern, inclusive work environments.

Finding an alternative to “man-hours” could be important for teams aiming to promote a more inclusive workplace culture. Using synonyms or other alternatives allows for language that respects all team members equally.

10 Gender-Neutral Ways to Say “Man-Hours”

Finding the right language for the workplace is important. Here are ten alternatives to “man-hours” that keep your communication clear and inclusive:

1. Person-hours

This alternative is similar to “man-hours” but is more inclusive. It makes no assumptions about the gender of the workers involved. It’s precise and maintains a professional tone, making it suitable for all workplace communications.

This term is best used in environments that value diversity and inclusion. It’s perfect for both internal and external communications, making it a versatile option for emails, reports, and meetings where a formal yet inclusive language is appreciated.

Example:

Greetings Team,

Please estimate the person-hours needed for the upcoming project phase.

Regards,
Susan

2. Work hours

“Work hours” is a straightforward, easy-to-understand synonym for “man-hours.” It focuses purely on the hours needed to complete tasks without referencing the individuals performing the work. This makes it highly professional and polite.

Great for use in any professional setup, “work hours” fits well in project proposals, emails, and planning documents. It’s generic enough to be used across various industries, appealing to anyone looking for a clear, concise way to communicate effort estimates.

Example:

Dear Project Team,

We've budgeted 100 work hours for the design phase.

Best,
Roger

3. Staff hours

“Staff hours” emphasizes the collective effort of a team, shifting focus from individual contributions to the broader workforce’s input. This alternative suggests a team-oriented approach, maintaining a professional demeanor.

This alternative is particularly useful in communications that aim to highlight team effort or when addressing larger groups. It’s ideal for organizational settings, detailed planning sessions, and in messages that seek to motivate or account for the entire staff’s contributions.

Email example:

Hello Team,

Let's discuss our staff hours allocation for the Q2 projects in our next meeting.

Kind regards,
Emily

4. Team hours

Like “staff hours,” “team hours” brings a sense of unity and collective commitment to completing a project. It’s equally professional and fosters a team-centric view of the workload.

This term is suited for communications within teams or departments, especially in a collaborative setting. It’s a synonym that enhances the idea of teamwork in emails, project updates, or when calculating the time needed for team tasks.

Example:

Team,

We'll need to calculate our team hours for the Smith project soon.

Cheers,
Jordan

5. Labor hours

“Labor hours” puts the focus on the physical or mental effort required to complete tasks, making it a straightforward and professional synonym for “man-hours.” This term is slightly more formal, suitable for contexts where the emphasis is on the quantity of work rather than the individuals performing it.

Best applied in technical or industrial contexts, this term is ideal for project management, reporting, and situations requiring a precise account of work efforts. It works well in communications that discuss workload, project planning, and resource allocation.

Email example:

Hello Team,

Reminder: Update the spreadsheet with your labor hours by EOD Friday.

Thanks,
Terry

6. Project hours

“Project hours” narrows the focus specifically to work done on projects. It is a professional, project-centric way of referring to the collective time investment by the team.

This term is best suited for communications about projects, making it ideal for updates, planning meetings, and emails where the context is clearly focused on project work. It’s useful for teams that manage multiple projects and need to differentiate between them in their tracking and reporting.

Example:

Dear All,

Your feedback on the estimated project hours for next month's launch is needed.

Kindly,
Alex

7. Effort hours

The term “effort hours” shifts focus from who is doing the work to the effort required to accomplish a task. It’s an inclusive, professional synonym that highlights the amount of work without referencing individual contributions.

Suitable for a wide range of situations, from informal team discussions to formal reports. It’s especially good for environments emphasizing the effort over the individual, such as in performance reviews or project planning sessions.

Example:

Team,

We need to reassess our effort hours for the current deliverables.

Best,
Diane

8. Task hours

“Task hours” focuses on the specific hours allocated to individual tasks, making it a clear and professional alternative. This term is practical and straightforward, suitable for task-oriented discussions and planning.

It’s perfect for detailed planning and updates in both formal and informal settings, making it versatile for use in emails, to-do lists, or software development cycles. “Task hours” helps keep everyone on the same page about the time expectations for specific tasks.

Example:

Hi Team,

Please log your task hours spent on the Beta test this week.

Thanks,
Oliver

9. Job hours

“Job hours” is a generic, straightforward way of expressing the time required to complete specific jobs or tasks. It’s both professional and polite, suitable for all types of workplace communications.

This synonym is well-suited for discussions around specific jobs, making it ideal for use in operational planning, shift assignments, or when outlining work for subcontractors. It’s particularly useful in sectors like construction, event planning, or any scenario where work is job-specific.

Email sample:

Dear Subcontractors,

We need an estimate of the job hours for the upcoming site prep.

Regards,
Laura

10. Unit hours

Lastly, “unit hours” offers a way to discuss the effort in terms of measurable units, providing a clear, quantifiable alternative to “man-hours.” It is distinctly professional and adds a level of precision to project planning and tracking.

This term is especially effective in contexts requiring detailed tracking and reporting, such as manufacturing, software development, or any project where work is divided into standard units. It’s an excellent choice for precise, focused communication on project timelines and labor allocation.

Example:

Team,

Our next step is to compile the unit hours for each phase of development.

Thanks,
Henry

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right words in the workplace is crucial for fostering an environment where all team members feel respected and included. The alternatives to “man-hours” provided here offer clear, gender-neutral options for everyone. By using these terms, you can communicate more precisely and professionally, without excluding anyone.