Hi all,

As an HR professional who is new to the role, I would like to know how to interact with employees. Should I be friendly with them? In my opinion, being friendly might lead to them not taking me seriously due to my young age. Can anyone provide guidance on the type of response I should give them?

Regards,
Khushi

From India, Pune
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No Strategy nothing, Be with them as how you have been with your frnds in college days!!! Regards, Santosh
From India, Hyderabad
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What can't I able to find, I can't understand. Being an HR, never use shortcuts and never use meaningless sentences. Can I know in detail what you meant to say? But our messages are straight and clear.
From India, Hyderabad
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Hey cool dear,

Thanks to both of you for the supportive answers :). I can't seem to find the meaning as Prashant is suggesting to use a strategy, and as per your advice, not to apply a strategy. I am unable to understand what to do. I am also asking for more tips and suggestions.

Regards,
Khushi

From India, Pune
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Hi Khushi,

Just be your natural self. Don't put on a mask. You need to be strict, yet firm and sensible at all times so that people are friendly to you but should not try to take advantage of your youth and newness. Be good friends with all levels of employees and maintain decorum in the office. Being strict does not necessarily mean being shrewd. You can be polite and firm at the same time.

From India, Pune
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Hi Khushi,

Be the boss, not the therapist. You're right. Walk the walk: Your employees will take their cues from you. If you refrain from getting all heated up over small issues, and you maintain your good humor and reasonable attitude at all times, your employees will follow your lead.

From India, Madurai
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Hi Khushi!

There is no fixed formula on behavior; it's very dynamic, and you learn best through experience. Try to practice "empathy" and more "listening" – this way, you will be in a better position to gain respect. Avoid impulsive responses. Wish you all the best for your endeavor.

Regards,
Subrat

From India, New Delhi
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Regarding the strategy, the role of HR is to be like HR.

After 2 years of selfless service, a man realized that he had not been promoted, transferred, given a salary increase, or received any commendation, and that the company was not addressing the issue. So, he decided to approach his HR manager one morning. After exchanging greetings, he shared his observations with the HR manager. The boss looked at him, laughed, and asked him to sit down, saying, "My friend, you have not worked here for even one day." The man was surprised to hear this, but the manager went on to explain:

Manager: How many days are there in a year?
Man: 365 days and sometimes 366.

Manager: How many hours make up a day?
Man: 24 hours.

Manager: How long do you work in a day?
Man: 8 am to 4 pm, i.e., 8 hours a day.
Manager: So, what fraction of the day do you work in hours?
Man: (He did some arithmetic and said 8/24 hours, i.e., 1/3 or one-third).

Manager: That is nice of you! What is one-third of 366 days?
Man: 122 (1/3 x 366 = 122 days).

Manager: Do you come to work on weekends?
Man: No, sir.

Manager: How many days in a year are weekends?
Man: 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays equal 104 days.

Manager: Thanks for that. If you remove 104 days from 122 days, how many days do you have left?
Man: 18 days.

Manager: OK! I do give you 2 weeks sick leave every year. Now, remove those 14 days from the 18 days left. How many days do you have remaining?
Man: 4 days.
Manager: Do you work on New Year's Day?
Man: No, sir!

Manager: Do you come to work on Worker's Day?
Man: No, sir!

Manager: So, how many days are left?
Man: 2 days, sir!

Manager: Do you come to work on National Holidays?
Man: No, sir!

Manager: So, how many days are left?
Man: 1 day, sir!

Manager: Do you work on Christmas Day?
Man: No, sir!

Manager: So, how many days are left?
Man: None, sir!

Manager: So, what are you claiming?
Man: I have understood, sir. I did not realize that I was "stealing" company money all these days.

Moral - NEVER GO TO HR FOR HELP!!!

HR = HIGH RISK

From India, Hyderabad
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Dear Khushi,

Since you are new, yes, you should be friendly with employees, but remember to set boundaries for yourself. No one should cross your job responsibilities and freedom. People may not always listen, but your job knowledge, commitment, soft tone, and fast actions will compel them to listen to you.

Regards,

Ajay Mehta

From India, New Delhi
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Hi all,

I'm happy to see lots of helpful suggestions! Thanks a lot to Subrat. Now, I will practice more to be a listener and will also avoid impulsive responses. Thanks to Manthena, I will follow your suggestion. Thanks to M.R.S. Sastry for your great and fruitful suggestion. Thanks to Kartee for your support. Thanks to Shivani and Nikhil for business and friendly attitude suggestions. Thanks to Ajay Sir for your grateful tips to be soft-spoken and have a fast action with job responsibilities commitment attitude, and also thanks to Naveen Kumar for your great idea and thoughts for HR!

From India, Pune
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Dear Sir,

I would like to suggest just observing them, like having lunch, taking tea with them, and inquiring about their education, experience, and family background. Start by calling everyone by name, not just the senior persons. Be polite, firm, and respond promptly. If you maintain this, you could acquire their goodwill. You need not be involved much, just listen from the outside.

M. Hemakumar
HR
09803653522

From India, Bangalore
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Dear Mr. Khushi,

As an HR professional, be nothing more than that. Don't fumble, be as you are. You have already been selected for the HR position, so the management considered your suitability for the role, not your age. Your age doesn't matter to them. Therefore, please concentrate on "what is the HR role in a company." This will simplify your job. All the best.

Regards,
Daniel Prabhakar

From India, Vijayawada
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Dear friends I am attaching a ppt on Employee behaviour. Try to understand them and behave accordingly regards alphonse 9443625359
From India, Madras
Attached Files (Download Requires Membership)
File Type: ppt Employee Behavior.ppt (462.5 KB, 297 views)

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As an HR professional, you need to understand the feelings of your employees, treat them as your family members, and fulfill their requirements in line with the organization's policies. HR serves as the link between employees and the organization, so it is important to maintain a balance between both.

With your positive attitude and whole-hearted support, you will definitely gain the confidence of your employees. This will lead you towards achieving your goals as well as those of the organization.

Regards,
Vijay Jadav

From India
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First you put yourself in the position you are thinking employee and ask yourself what type of behavior you expect from your HR.
From Bangladesh
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There is no harm being friendly but at the same time maintain some distance lest they start taking undue advantage. . Be a professional in your official dealings.
From India, Chandigarh
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Hi, Khushi,

As you are working in HR, you must maintain good relationships with the employees. During times of difficulty, you will be their primary point of contact. If you have good relationships, they will easily understand you, and you will be able to communicate effectively. However, it is important to maintain decorum both within and outside the organization.

Regards,
kksharma

From India, Delhi
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The best way to be assertive is to listen more than you speak, and when you speak, smile and be to the point. During office hours, avoid chit-chat, yet greet everyone you meet by name and in a statement. Don't say "Hi". Use good morning, good afternoon, etc.

"Good morning Tripti, How are you today?" "Good morning Tripti, hope you are enjoying your day" or "Good afternoon Tripti, Have you had your lunch?"

A simple yes or no question is enough to let them know you are friendly but not necessarily their friend. When you greet someone by name, that person respects you for it. Later, you can add, "How is your son?" "How is your mother?" "How is your new accommodation?" etc.

Just in case they start to complain about something, give them an appointment to meet you in your office. Don't have any discussion outside your office. An appointment shows who is in charge, and since it's inside your den, you are the king/queen.

More importantly, practice your "Hello" smile in front of the mirror. It should be different from your natural smile—pleasant but professional.

All the best!

From India, Pune
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Dear Khushi,

No need to change your behavior. No need to wear a mask. An HR job is like any other job. Everybody is responsible for their job to be done according to policy in an organization. If somebody does not carry out their job properly, they will be negatively evaluated. You are not different from them. Think of your organization as your family or campus. Maintain relationships with everyone, but make decisions according to policy as it is your job. Be aware of nepotism.

From Bangladesh
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During the official hours, just turn on your red light for a little flexibility. Outside of official hours, turn on your green light (act as a friend). That is all in my idea as an HR professional with 5 years of experience. One thing to note is that it directly depends on your organization's culture as well.
From Singapore, Singapore
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Good morning, all of you,

@ Daniel, thanks for giving such hidden compliments. It will help me elevate my role to meet management expectations. Thanks, Sunny, for reminding me about Nivedita's point. @ Alphonse, thank you for your helpful ppt. It will not only benefit me in the corporate field but also in social life. Nice. @ Vijay, thanks for suggesting treating employees as my family members. @ Kksharma, thanks for informing me about the negative impact of not displaying nice behavior towards employees. @ Avinash, thank you for the simple habitual tips. Also, thanks to the remaining 5 people whose names were not written. I kindly request members to write their names next time so I can thank them by name.

Regards,
Khushi

From India, Pune
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Dear Khushi,

The suggestion given by Nivedita is appreciable. You can also look over the below important points regarding the formation of behavior and attitude:

1. Be courteous and polite while talking with colleagues, seniors, and juniors. Aggressiveness might give a negative impression of you to others.
2. Never try to show that you are smarter than others; this may also diminish your positivity.
3. Make sure to go through all the facts before expressing any aggressiveness towards others.
4. Strictness is necessary in some cases but should not be excessive.
5. Approach situations with respect and humility.
6. Foster positive thinking by reducing stress through synergistic thoughts.

Thanks and Best Regards,
Vikas Ranjan

From India, Bangalore
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do not make a personal relationship with anyone,but be friendly to all ur employees ,so they will come and tell all their probs that they face.
From India, Madras
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Thanks to all for giving the right suggestion to Khushi.

I would like to add my views.

Khushi, as you are new to this profession, you have to analyze them to see if they are good. So, you should be friendly and polite with them. If they are not, then you have to be strict with them.

But of course, a friendly nature will help you to build a healthy relationship; it is also important as an HR.

From India, New Delhi
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