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HR Isolation....Anyone?
HR Career Forum
HR Isolation....Anyone?
Discuss your job search, the interviewing process, creating the right resume, how the HR profession's changes require new job-search approaches and related topics.
Hi there,
I've worked in HR now for 12 years and have made it to the so called "top job" in the field. I guess, I should feel happy, but I don't. Most of the time, I feel that no matter how cordial
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Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » HR Isolation....Anyone?
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 2/21/2007 2:28 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 2/21/2007 Last: 2/21/2007 |
I agree with your statement. At my company when my department walks into a room we hear comments like, "We better be nice. HR has arrived". Even though I don't have any outside contact with company employees, it would be nice to be included in some "fun" things once in awhile. We have feelings too! |
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 2/21/2007 2:48 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 2/21/2007 Last: 5/15/2007 |
It reads like the proverbial "It is lonely at the top" syndrome, in a different kind of way.
Cultivate relationships both within the executive team and without in your peer groups and/or outisde interests. Your work should not be your life. |
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 2/21/2007 9:38 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 2/21/2007 Last: 2/21/2007 |
Greetings
I have the same experience and find it very important to seek out other HR professionals. If your company is small and you are the only one, sometimes seeking out another staff member who serves the entire employment body can be good for your morale (such as the IT Manager if he or she is mature and you feel you can talk to that person.) There are other roles who have many of the same components and can relate better to what HR does. I also find that professional groups such as the local SHRM chapter are very valuable to my morale. Getting training with other HR professionals is another morale builder. Keeping the positive aspects of HR in the forefront of people's minds takes some strategy. I am lucky in that I have the budget to try different things (like a Wellness program or bringing an espresso cart in for the staff and other perks) and the staff often connects those things with me. Otherwise you do get branded as the High School Principal, or the watchdog of the company. That still does happen, and is unavoidable, I think. But every job has its good and bad points. I always try and remember that it's my role, not me, that people sometimes resent. |
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 2/22/2007 6:51 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 2/22/2007 Last: 2/22/2007 |
I have been in HR over 35 years. The realization that I would not be anyone's buddy came early on in my long HR career. I agree with the suggestion to join a professional HR society so you can be among your peers on a regular basis. But you will have to toughen up and accept the isolation as a part of the role. I believe it helps to add credibility that I am in no one's "pocket" and as you are doing, advocate for the win-win and can do so with independent thinking and a strong ethical foundation. Being liked is a need you will have to have fulfilled outside of your professional life, I hate to say! |
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 2/23/2007 7:37 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 12/20/2005 Last: 2/23/2007 |
I can empathize with your feelings of isolation. Although, HR has many roles it is primarily a people profession, which is an irony in that we must keep a sense of propriety in our interaction with others. As such, we must be careful not to give the impression that we only align ourselves with one group or another (management or staff)because it can undermine our effectiveness. I think it's very important that HR is perceived to be trustworthy and fair in addressing the many employee-related problems. For example, management should feel confident that we'll guide them in the right direction and staff members believe that we are here to help and not to hinder them. But the price we pay for that can be feelings of isolation. However, I'm very careful about making friendships at my workplace because I never know when I might be compromised because of that friendship. I could find myself in the uncomfortable position of having to terminate or conduct an investigation that involves someone who I considered to be a friend. |
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 2/24/2007 9:41 AM EST
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Posts: 80
First: 12/4/2006 Last: 3/12/2007 |
I hardly see HR as a "people profession" unless you count the misguided antics of the late 90's and early 2000's.
It is a business function of significant impact financially as well as through production if done right. The angst some feel over not being accepted or liked in the workplace remains a leftover side effect of the transition away from people hugging in the workplace. Regretably those who still cling to that failed experiment still have some, although diminishing, influence on some perceptions. As has been so eloquently said by a number of respondents, if you conduct yourself professionally with appropriate workplace relationships and accept that business is business this whole concept of "HR isolation" becomes psychosomatic and thereby curable by oneself. It is when the vestiges of " we do this for people" crawls into the picture that problems begin. We do this for the profitability/productivity of our employers. When that occurs you are what we are - a leading business function in the workplace and not being loved by everyone becomes irrelevant. |
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HR Isolation....Anyone?
posted at 3/7/2007 3:32 AM EST
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Posts: 52
First: 5/28/2005 Last: 12/4/2007 |
I have worked in HR-related roles for over 15 years, so Im not surprised at the perception that HRDev has received.
However, I am surprised that he feels 'isolated'. Although you dont have any real 'friends' dont you have people coming to you for your professional input? If you arent 'liked', arent you at least 'respected'? Does no one seek your opinion on matters? This is the crux of your question. If no one is seeking your opinion, you need to discover whether this is due to the workplace environment or to your ability to work with others. HR should be seen as the neutral ground that everyone can approach, not the pariah that everyone should avoid. |
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