I spent nine months working (and arguing with everyone from my HR Director to our Organization's "CFO" and "CEO") trying desperately to improve the benefits (and costs of the same) we offer to our employees.
My motivation was pure - I honestly cared about our employees and did my best to give them benefits that surpassed anything we had to offer for a much better price.
My Director, however, continually questioned whether or not my efforts were really worth the time and trouble. He did nothing to help me (and actually caused a serious delay in the process), and when the concept was finally completed and everything was in place to transfer over, he took all of the credit!
The final insult came when he explained to me that it was my job to make him look good, and intimated that I had finally come thru.
I, too, share the ugly view others have of HR and then some... I also apologize for those working in HR (I do hope they are the minority although somewhere deep inside I know better) who give what should be a source of refuge for mistreated workers such a bad name.
POST A COMMENTcorporateSlave(04/24/2006)
I had a friend in HR who once told me that she was very frustrated with it because when she got into it, HR was about protecting the employees and do ing what's right for them. Now, she says, it has become about protecting the company and doing what's right for the COMPANY.
tawanda(04/24/2006)
To my mind, taking care of the employees and what's best for the Company SHOULD be inseparable. In my organization, there is no concern for the entity - it's all about egos and personal agendas / make believe vendettas. I understand your friend's frustration TOO TOO well. Are they still in HR or have they already made a career change for the better? I'm at the point now where I desperately want and need a career change - fast.
corporateSlave(04/24/2006)
She is still in HR, yes. But why is beyond me because she is frustrated on a daily basis about having to go against what she knows is right.
SouthernProgrammer(04/24/2006)
At my job, I have had several employees tell me HR stands for "Hilarious Results", "Humane Restraints", and "Hitlers Regime".
tawanda(04/24/2006)
I used to work in HR for the Department of Corrections years ago, and although I was in an office, I still had contact with the inmate population. That being said, I find some of those inmates preferable, and I would rather work with them on a daily basis than to work with my "co-workers" in HR. In hindsight I find that the inmates are a much more honest,direct, and ethical group of people - AND at least you know where you stand with them...
tawanda(04/24/2006)
Keeping in mind that I work in HR (and my boss is the HR Director) - I had postponed seeking treatment for a work-related injury for nearly two (2) years because there was never a good time for my boss. In January I couldn't keep postponing the situation - I HAD to put my health FIRST for a change (every other employee, including the Director) can take off of work whenever they feel like it). As my surgery date was being scheduled, my Director (the organization's HR Director) ORDERED me to "talk" to my doctor and "postpone" my surgery. He demanded that I explain to my doctor that "work is IMPORTANT" and I had "a LOT of work to do". The man runs HR and hasn't a clue how illegal (not to mention inflammatory)his conduct is
Dharmadee(04/24/2006)
This is so sad. I am currently studying to get a B.S. in Human Services. My goal is to find a position to counsel and empower individuals to become the best that they can be. It is very discouraging to hear what H.R. has become.
SouthernProgrammer (04/24/2006)
Incredible. I bet he gets a higher position for his "hard work". Good for you for trying, hopefully he will turn to you and ask a question on HIS process and you can simply say "Well you did it! You figure it out!"
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