AquaNines t1_jadl8pp wrote on February 28, 2023 at 5:53 PM

Reply to comment by marjorymackintosh in Adverse weather and work by SecretLadyMe

Do you ever feel regretful about being an HR professional given what the world tells us you do (help out employees in struggling situations) vs what you're actually supposed to do (help the business achieve it's goals)? I only ask because I see memes like this all the time

marjorymackintosh t1_jae7veb wrote on February 28, 2023 at 8:15 PM

No, I don’t. At least where I work, employees are very clear that our job is to support the company by ensuring we are adhering to employment laws, our employee handbook, and by working to attract and retain talent by creating a good place to work. Luckily, adhering to employment laws in place to protect people and retaining talent are best achieved by creating a safe, pleasant workplace with good pay and benefits, so I don’t find that my job is often at odds with helping employees. The only part I have really hated is having to lay off employees in the past, through no fault of their own. But at the end of the day, I work for a business and those are business decisions. That’s why I tell people I know that they don’t owe a company their loyalty - it’s a business relationship, not a personal relationship, and that is true on both sides. Do what’s best for you and move on if you need or want to.

Enginerdad t1_jaechag wrote on February 28, 2023 at 8:46 PM

While it's true that HR official side is with the company, not all companies go out of their way to screw over their employees in the name of profits. Lots of HR professionals spend their time genuinely helping employees with things like hiring, benefits and leaves of absence. It's only the companies that tell you "HR is here to help you," and then use that against you in case of conflict that times get shitty.

AquaNines t1_jaellz6 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 9:44 PM

I don’t think they do but the last part you said there I think is what the meme is really referencing. I know most companies aren’t trying to be unkind towards their workers. That being said, it’s nothing unheard of.

Enginerdad t1_jaeunfj wrote on February 28, 2023 at 10:45 PM

Of course it's not unheard of, but there are also corrupt doctors, abusive veterinarians, and murdering foster parents. Nobody asks people in those professions if they "feel regretful" about being those things.

AquaNines t1_jaewb98 wrote on February 28, 2023 at 10:56 PM

Idk where you’re going with the foster parents part but in those professions when someone is playing outside the lines it’s usually seen as like a solo act by a person and not as a profession as a whole. HR as a whole profession is not really seen in the best light. I have a professional here who could answer a question I was curious about and well within my rights to ask, why wouldn’t I?

Squidworth89 t1_jaeikqb wrote on February 28, 2023 at 9:24 PM

Not everyone has such a juvenile outlook.

HR is employed by the company. Not the workers.

AquaNines t1_jaek2vm wrote on February 28, 2023 at 9:34 PM

The format it’s presented in may be juvenile but it’s sentiment isn’t. There’s a lot of people working right now who are told HR is your friend. This can be true. They can also be your demise. The demise part is what companies tend to sweep under the rug which is why HR gets a bad rap.