HR isn’t your friend, HR is dead, HR is too woke, do you even need HR?

There has been a lot of noise around HR over recent weeks, comments that HR is not on the side of the employee, articles in The Times seemingly blaming HR for everything that is wrong with Companies, no doubt written by someone who has never worked in HR in his life.  Comments that HR is surplus to requirements.

Like every other employee, those that work in the HR team can be sacked, made redundant, managed out, bullied, harassed and discriminated against.  We do not create employment legislation that is the purview of the Government.  We aren’t judges making rulings at employment tribunals which set legal precedents.  We do not take sides with the business nor do we represent employees like a union representative. We are there to be impartial and ensure that a fair process is followed.  We can tell you that you should take action with that employee who makes inappropriate comments and the outline consequences of not doing so. But we can’t force the business to do something, that responsibility lies with managers. 

So, what role does HR play in an organisation? At best HR has a seat at the table, reports to the CEO and designs and implements a strategy that supports the overall business objectives.  We collaborate with and are trusted advisors, we are the guardians of employment law, there to review a situation and advise on the best way to deal with it.  If an employee has done something which constitutes gross misconduct, the right advice post investigation and formal meeting might be dismissal.  Employee on long term sick, we can advise how we can support the employee coming back to work.  Need to restructure, we can ensure the process is followed fairly, that there is meaningful consultation.  We can mediate when there are grievances hopefully to get a satifactory outcome.  We aim for consistency across the Company so that everyone is treated the same.  In the background we are working to influence senior managers and the board to do the right thing.

Any business that understands that people are your greatest asset, whilst also being your biggest cost and liability, will value HR.  The people you have in your business represent your company, they deal with your suppliers and your customers. Disengaged, unhappy, poorly treated employees are unlikely to do a good job for you and go the extra mile. 

Good HR professionals understand how to add commercial value to a business.  High absence, attrition and performance issues all add cost to the bottom line.  Bad recruitment practices and the wrong hires cost money.  Not understanding employment law and policies and procedures can see you ending up in a tribunal.  We work with the businesses to support with those difficult conversations and hard decisions which sometimes need to be taken. 

Like any profession you get good HR professionals and bad ones, most HR professionals believe that everyone should be respected and treated fairly, we understand that life is home and work and that one effects the other.  People make bad decisions and mistakes, sometimes they struggle and don’t know how to ask for help.

So, is HR your friend maybe not but we are on the side of doing the right thing.  Is HR dead, not unless we suddenly have no employment laws.  Is HR too woke, I imagine some are.  Do you need HR, well that is up to you, but if you value your business then yes.  Contact me at bev@bdhr.co.uk for a consultation as to how I can help support your business.