Rod; workforce (5)
I believe the answer is:
staff
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'rod' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'workforce' is the second definition.
(both can mean a group of workers)
(Other definitions for staff that I've seen before include "Administrators etc - stick" , "the general's assistants recognised" , "Rules needed for scoring" , "something orchestra member may look at" , "Walking-stick" .)