🏆 Award-Winning HR Leader || LinkedIn💡Top Human Resources (HR) Voice || I Coach Elite HR Teams, Transform Company Cultures, and Build Thriving Workplaces
In HR... We're the bad guys. At least, that's the perception: "HR does the bidding of Leadership," "HR ONLY helps the company, not employees" and "HR is not your friend." Here's the truth: ⤵ ▫ ❌ Perception: HR is the policy police. ▫ ✅ Reality: I'm trying to protect the company, yes. AND I'm also trying to protect YOU employees from legal issues and unfair treatment. I'm not out to get anyone. ▫ ❌ Perception: HR doesn't care about employees. ▫ ✅ Reality: You don't see how hard I'm advocating for employees to get raises, better bonuses, improve benefits, etc. I'm an employee too. Whatever benefits YOU will also benefit ME! Why wouldn't I want to advocate for employees? ▫ ❌ Perception: HR Can't be trusted. ▫ ✅ Reality: I'm bound by strict ethical codes and confidentiality. I'm the last person to spread rumors and gossip. Having said that, somethings an employee brings up have to be reported and dealt with. Federal law and Ethical codes don't allow me to ignore or "pretend I didn't hear." ➡ It's a fight between perception and reality. ➡ In HR we have to balance the needs of the company and its workforce. #HR #HumanResources #WorkplaceCulture #Transparency
I think these things depend a *lot* on the organizational culture. I have witnessed what you've described in healthy organizations, but the opposite in unhealthy ones.
If a company makes good policies and treats their people fairly I have no problem being the policy police.
We’re employees too! 🤷🏽♂️
These sentiments reflect a common perception that HR departments primarily serve the interests of the organization rather than the employees. Balancing these roles can be challenging but essential for building trust and ensuring a fair workplace.
Employees should be given opportunities to express their thoughts and ideas for organisational growth and HR should make sure that the employees trust HR and make them believe that HR is ambassadors of employees. Moreover, the organisational culture has a major role in creating bad/good perceptions.
Well said! Being the middle guy isn’t always fun but it does have its rewarding moments!
Tawny Lott Rodriguez, MSHR This is so "spot on." I love reading your posts, and the pics too (where do you find these?). HR can be very challenging because it is a constant balance the two (advocating for employees and protecting the company). Being transparent with employees, even if it is not the message they want, they will know they can trust the company and HR.
HR is such a tough job and not for the faint of heart. Thank you, HR professionals, for all that you do!
Tawny Lott Rodriguez, MSHR - 💯agree! Many folks do not understand the complexity of HR and the high ethical standards required in the profession at any organization.
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2moTawny thank you for this! So many times due to confidentiality and ethics HR cannot discuss what is really happening behind closed doors. Throughout my career I have advocated for employees and protected employees from both leadership and other employees. The assumptions are rampant! I have been lucky enough to work with people who understand how difficult it can be to be caught in the in between. Negativity in media and from venting employees that have been widespread but remember there is often more to the story.