shorthanded

Shorthanded is a term used as an adjective and adverb to describe a situation in which a person, team, or organization has fewer than the full complement of personnel required to perform a task or participate in an activity. The condition arises from penalties, injuries, illness, absences, or staffing gaps. In everyday usage it can refer to workers missing shifts or a sports team playing with fewer players due to penalties.

In sports, shorthanded situations occur when players are operating with fewer on-field players. In ice hockey, penalties reduce the number of players on the ice, creating a power play for the advantaged team and a penalty kill for the penalized team. A team that is shorthanded may still defend and attempt to prevent scoring, and a goal scored by the team that is shorthanded is called a short-handed goal.

In the workplace, being shorthanded means there are not enough staff to cover all shifts or workload. This can lead to longer wait times, overtime, reduced productivity, and increased stress among employees. Organizations may address the situation with temporary hires, overtime policies, task prioritization, or cross-training of staff.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from short + hand, signaling fewer workers available to lend a hand. While common in sports reporting and human resources, its exact implications vary by context and industry.