Should HR Professionals Stick to a 9-to-6 Schedule, or Is Flexibility Needed?

Hi,

I am sure most of us would be facing this question: "Should HR people work between 9 to 6 only?"

As you can see in any organization, technical professionals need to work at least 10-12 hours a day considering their job profile. Comparatively, HR job isn't that hectic. I feel it's a routine job, and if managed well, one can finish the work in the stipulated timeframe.

Let's share everybody's view on the same: Should HR professionals, especially those in the recruitment field, strictly work between 9 to 6 only...? What do you say...?

Hi!

I don't really think so. There are times when we have to do salary, recruitment, or any other work given by your seniors or anyone else. In that case, we do have to spend more time. So, I don't think that any HR person would be working strictly between 9 to 6 only.

Chitra

I too agree with Chitra. It's not always a fixed time period; it's a flexible one. When required, we need to stay back late nights too. I am an HR professional at an IT company. There are days when I have left the office around 12 at night because I had work. So, it's not always about the time but rather your work that determines your working hours.

Hi K Sanket,

Yes, I fully agree with you. HR should work from 9 to 6. If a person can organize his/her work, then it is easy to do. One should effectively use working hours to be focused on work and go home early to spend some time in social life.

Regards,
Mahesh

It is true that HR does not necessarily work extra hours every day, but may need to sit during month-end, appraisal/reward processes, etc. Simply put, we work extra hours as and when the need arises.

Hi,

As a technical professional, we are responsible for handling and completing our duties. However, this can vary depending on the industry. In sectors like IT and biopharma, the workload is manageable. Conversely, in industries such as manufacturing and large plants, HR professionals face high work pressure, making the standard 8-hour workday insufficient.

When it comes to recruitment, candidates are often occupied during working hours, making it challenging to engage with them effectively. They are more receptive and available to discuss job opportunities after work hours, requiring HR professionals to be patient and flexible in their communication approach.

Regarding the question of whether HR professionals, especially those in recruitment, should strictly adhere to a 9 to 6 work schedule, it is essential to consider the nature of the job and industry expectations. While technical roles may demand longer hours, HR roles can be managed effectively within regular working hours with proper planning and organization.

This is my perspective on the matter. Let's discuss and share our views on whether HR professionals should work within traditional office hours or have more flexible schedules to accommodate the demands of the job.

Best regards.

Dear All,

A committed HR member has to work for 24 hours round the clock when needed. When you are framed as a manager, you are supposed to work around the clock wherever and whenever needed. During a crisis period such as theft or a strike in a company, the HR professional has to play their role, which may extend round the clock. Therefore, accept the responsibilities when you aspire to be a leader and be prepared to shoulder them.

HR is a committed bureaucracy. While you can define a role for an engineer, it is not as straightforward for an HR professional because their role is limitless. You can delve deep into areas such as budgeting and costing, even question your superiors, but not other departments. Understand your role and act accordingly.

Thanks & Regards,

B. RAVI MURUGAN

Dear All,

A committed HR member has to work for 24 hours round the clock when it is needed. When you are framed as a manager, you are supposed to work around the clock when and where needed. During a crisis period like theft or a strike in a company, the HR has to play their role, which may extend around the clock. Therefore, accept the responsibilities when you are a leader and also accept the same when you want to be a leader.

HR is a committed bureaucracy. You can define a role for an engineer, but not for an HR, because their role is unlimited. You can delve into the depths when it comes to budget and costing. You can also question your superiors, but other departments cannot do that. So, know your role and act accordingly.

Thanks & Regards,
B. RAVI MURUGAN

That's a pretty nice topic for discussion.

My experience is that the time spent in the office is not only dependent on the work to be finished but also on the extent to which one wants to develop in the field. When looked at seriously, there is a lot that can be done for the improvement of the organization, leading to personal development as well. It is the differentiating factor that one aims to create in the workplace. For example, let's assume there is a policy in place. It is up to us whether to follow it blindly or to review it repeatedly and implement ways to enhance it. Of course, this also depends on domestic commitments.

Especially for those who handle employees' queries, they might find time for such development only after scheduled work hours. As Chithra has rightly pointed out, when there is much work to finish, it is always better to stay late and complete tasks rather than leaving things pending.

Hi,

I completely agree with Nidhi. It's true that everybody will be looking forward to achieving something in their career. A HR job is not only to learn, organize, and implement things within the organization. Being HR, one should think of contributing his/her views which will benefit in more productivity for the organization. That way, one can make an identity. For this, one needs to put in the extra time to achieve it. Ultimately, at the end of the day, HR productivity will be recognized in this manner.

Hi all,

Working for long hours is okay, but balancing work-life is of great importance, which leads to a better life and better organization in enthusiastic professionals.

Regards

Hi,

It's very interesting whether HR should work only from 9 to 6. It depends from company to company. Whether you complete the work from 9 to 6 is good, but I don't think the day is enough for most of us, and we need to spend one or two more hours in the office. We used to get clients after 5 pm and needed to stay in the office for 8 at times.

Thanks,
Madhu

I don't agree that HR only works between 9-6 only. I'm working in a manufacturing company where I have to work mostly late evenings. At the time of appraisals, we have to sit until late night as well. In general, we work round the clock, with most of the time spent on troubleshooting. Since it's a manufacturing company, we have to handle staff as well as workers, and during those times, we face lots of problems. We often get many trivial issues from them, and we have to resolve them.

It's always not right that when a person is sitting late, his/her work is not organized properly. Sometimes, this happens when you need to sit because of work pressure.

Regards,
Ritu

Hi everybody,

I fully agree with the working hours between 9-6. HR professionals should work until 6 pm. If one works in an organized manner, tasks should be completed by the stipulated time. If we are unable to finish before 6 pm, then there may be a time management issue.

Regards, Gyana Das

As far as HR is concerned, it is not a question of the hours that are spent in a day for work. One should assess the value of the work. Some work will be very small but of greater value. So, the worth of the work depends on how valuable a task is performed in a day and not the hours.

HR is no better than any other division of the company. If they have work, they have to finish the work. Time is not a constraint. It's all based on HR profile. Some HR's work limit will be less, and for some, it will be vast, and again, based on how organized and how fast one is.

Hi,

It all depends on the workload you have and what kind of team you have to share the load. It is not necessarily that HR people have to work late hours physically. I agree with Ravi Murgan's opinion.

Hi friends,

Well, I don't think that any person should do their work in a limited time period. It must depend on the attainment of goals. The evaluation must be done based on the work done by the employees, not on the time. We need smart workers, not hard workers.

Yeah, I guess if the question is "Should," then definitely no because you have to balance family and professions. But the real thing is, can an HR person work from 9 to 6? Then I would say, how I wish, because mainly if you are into recruitment, candidates insist that you call them late in the evenings or on weekends. Similarly, interviews have to be arranged late in the evenings or weekends. Then there are reports - my god, don't they eat up a lot of your time, which you are always short on. So ideally, yes, we should work from 9 to 6, but it seldom happens.

HR should be able to leave at flexible timings. However, an HR professional should be punctual with office timings. If necessary, they should be able to stay late. HR plays a crucial role as the eyes and ears of the organization.

This is my opinion.

Thanks,
Satya

Hi Shveta,

I fully agree with you. Working hours depend on your workload. If you are working in the IT or service industry and are busy with recruitment, you must be willing to spend your time later, as you can better convince the people to whom you are offering a job, and discuss salary at that time.

Thanks,
Mukesh
HR

Dear Sanket,

The HR professionals are often required to work beyond the typical 9 to 6 schedule. As individuals responsible for managing human resources, we must be available to address urgent needs as they arise. For example, in my current role at a construction company, it is often challenging for me to leave the office before 7 pm. Additionally, the flexibility of working hours depends on various factors such as your boss, the company's policies, and the industry in which you are employed.

This is my perspective on the matter. Please feel free to share your thoughts on this.

Thank you.

For an HR professional, only the location in which they are available changes. The work follows them even to their residence, even during the odd hours of the day. You cannot say that you will not handle the work. Keep smiling and go ahead.

I strongly believe in Scott Adams's OA5 plan. It states that everyone in the office should be out at 5. This ensures that people don't waste time at work and make efficient use of resources. It also inculcates a sense of discipline in everyone and helps individuals to balance work and life.

I think HR should set an example by coming on time and leaving on time. There have been days during appraisals or other events where we stayed back until 8, but that is very rare. My boss prefers the team leaving on time, and the team obviously loves it.

I do feel sort of guilty at times for leaving on time. I haven't figured out what to do with that feeling yet though. 😅

Good topic for discussion!

Soumya made a commendable point, "it depends on the extent one wants to develop in the field."

Besides, when we talk to HR-recruitment, particularly in the senior cadre, the game is more about networking, contacts, referrals, etc. I believe these things cannot be time-bound. It's all about our mind which keeps working round the clock, and action takes place as and when the right time comes.

And at the end of the day, work has to be done, no matter how and at what time.

Hello friends,

I don't really think so. Many times, when we have to do MIS reports, recruitment, performance reviews, and salary calculations, we need to spend more time on that. There is no way HR can work for just 9 to 6 hours.

CPLN

Hi,

This is an interesting topic. Many HR professionals face the problem of ambiguity when deciding whether to work from 9 to 6. However, I don't agree that technical professionals have to work 10-12 hours while HR professionals do not. HR is one of the most hectic and unpredictable jobs as you can analyze and predict anything in this world other than human behavior, and that's where HR comes in. There is no certainty or time-bound work in HR as manpower problems or any issues cannot be predicted and analyzed in advance.

HR is a function where you have to be mentally attached to the workplace even after office hours because your mind is always with the people.

Brijesh

It's not really true. HR professionals work for 10 to 12 hours like technical professionals. Many times, HR professionals do not get Saturday/Sunday off either. It's a wrong perception that technical professionals work more than support personnel.

Manjula

This is decided by an HR individual with specific needs and requirements. It is not the time that matters, but necessarily the work and output quality.

Regards,
Mahesh

That's a pretty nice topic for discussion. My experience is that the time spent in the office is not only dependent on the work to be finished but also on the extent to which one wants to develop in the field. Looked at seriously, there is a lot that can be done for the improvement of the organization leading to personal development too. It is the differentiating thing that one wants to create in the workplace. For example, let's assume that there is a policy in place. It is up to us to follow it blindly or to go through it again and again and implement ways of improving it. Of course, it depends on domestic commitments too.

Especially for those who handle employees' queries, they might find time for such developments only after scheduled work hours. As Chithra has rightly pointed out, when there is much work to finish, it is always better to stay late and finish than to keep things pending.

My dear Viewers,
9 to 6 is not the question. The question is how to manage your work. HR has a very wide area. HR maintains a liaison relationship with his seniors, juniors, and outside clients—official written work, decision/policy-making, attending meetings, mentoring, advising, etc. Do not assume work like a Babu. Explore your potential, and if you succeed, you will not need a watch. Be happy.

DPS Chauhan
09411513867

It is true that HR not necessarily work extra hours on all days, but needs to sit during month ends, appraisal/reward workings, etc. Simply, as and when the need arises, has to work for extra hours.

As HR professionals, we should excel in time management. If any emergency meetings arise, it is acceptable to stay back and complete them. However, in other cases, I believe we always have the next day to work and finish our tasks.

Social life is very important. The company plays a role in our lives for only 4 to 5 years at most. If anything happens, our family members and other people will be there throughout our lives.

By the end of the day, as individuals, we play a crucial role in our relationships.

Regards, Ani

Hi guys,

I also agree. HR has to work according to the situation. No time constraint is needed in the HR profession.

VijiBalaji :)

Hi,

I am sure most of us would be facing this question: "Should HR people work between 9 to 6 only?"

As you can see in any organization, technical professionals need to work at least 10-12 hours a day considering their job profile. Comparatively, HR job isn't that hectic. I feel it's a routine job, and if managed well, one can finish the work within the stipulated timeframe.

Let's share everybody's views on whether HR professionals, especially those in the recruitment field, should strictly work between 9 to 6 only... What do you say?

There is no compulsion for HR people to work between 9 to 6 only. In my view, HR professionals should work flexible hours as per the company's requirements. For example, in manufacturing industries, there may be instances where HR personnel are needed in the midnight as well.

Regards,
Darshak Mehta

Dear All,

This is a great discussion. I would like to add that for us, time is not a constraint when we work. Actually, we have specific assignments to complete. To finish these assignments, we do invest more time in the company. However, we have to control time and the preference of work within the given time frame. We believe that individuals who stay late are less efficient in time management.

What do you say?

Thank you.

Hi,

According to my view, HR Executives or Managers have one of the most leisurely jobs in corporates. Working hours are typically much less compared to other professionals. If you don't have work, you may have to sit idle until 6 PM :)

Regards,
R. Raja

Hi all,

According to my opinion, it is not a criterion to judge a person's capability by the hours a person is putting in at work. What I mean to say here is that not necessarily a person who is putting in long hours may be productive, and vice versa holds true as well. What is more important is being honest in your work. We should also remember that in our working lives, along with long hours at work, we are also dedicating long hours to commuting. Therefore, we must also be equally present for our family to create a work-life balance. Even if we are working regular hours in the office, we should not feel guilty for not adhering to a so-called culture of staying back, which is unhealthy anyhow.

In the words of the leadership guru Robin Sharma, as he said, "Whenever you are on your deathbed, one thing that you will never wish for is - I wish I had spent more time in the office."

So, let's instead focus on being productive during the time we spend in the office and only practice the culture of extending when there is a genuine need because the work cannot be postponed, rather than doing it for show.

Regards,
Aashima

Frankly speaking, in my entire career, I have never left at the said time. HR has lots of work in addition to normal day-to-day activities, and I don't think in the corporate world an individual can stick to a time frame as long as when it talks about managing work. But I do agree with this point that if your work is scheduled properly, you can, of course, leave on time, and you don't have to stay late. So I think all HR professionals will agree that we also do not stick to a time frame, and when work calls, we also stay late and finish it on time.

Well, well, well, it is quite a tricky question to ask whether an HR person should work between 9 to 6 only!

If you look at the whole situation in the market, then you will realize that it depends on what kind of vertical or business you are working for. If you work for a sales-oriented organization, then you might have to sit after 6 or 7 also as there are times when people take meetings. In IT, it is basically recruitment that keeps the HR person busy. So when the requirements come, they work till 9 o'clock too, and the boss tells you to sit for that many hours. The boss is always right according to some hypothetical enigmatic person!

In a lot of companies, HR doesn't have that much work unless it's the payroll time. Another thing that you can add is that the HR role has been expanded to take care of training, induction, recruitment, job description, staffing, exit, PF, and all. Now, the way companies are expanding, people are working under a lot of pressure, and it has always been in everyone's mind that a frustrated person leaves the job. Only HR can retain them, wherein in most cases, their bosses should take the initiative to do that.

Every company has some people who cry, and everyone is sent to the HR's door for a solution, which we are bound to come up with even if we have no idea about the problem or the solution. If someone wants leaves, HR. If someone wants a lower salary, HR. If someone is upset with his girlfriend, HR. If someone is not coming on time, HR. If someone is upset with his boss, HR. Now, like this, you can have hundreds of cases every day, and we are supposed to be the gods of solutions for all such problems.

As far as time is concerned, it is your call if you complete your work on time, leave on time, nothing wrong with that. You also have a social life and friends to hang out with, family to be with!

I hope every HR person can leave on time and make a happy life for them and for others too!

Deep

Hi, I am sure most of us would be facing this question: "Should HR people work between 9 to 6 only?" As you can see in any organization, technical guys need to work at least 10-12 hours a day considering their job profile. Comparatively, an HR job isn't that hectic. I feel it's a routine job, and if managed well, one can finish the work in the stipulated timeframe. Let's share everybody's view on the same, whether HR, especially professionals in the recruitment field, should strictly work between 9 to 6 only...? What's your say...?

Hi, guys,

Think of a situation where you require a person with more than 6-8 years of experience. He won't give his time if you want to conduct an interview during work hours. In such a situation, as an HR professional, we need to schedule an interview at a very odd time. This scenario is common among IT recruiters, especially in the U.S. Therefore, it's quite challenging for people in some industries to work strictly from 9-6.

I don't think so... My duty time is 2 - 11. In the first half, I follow up with consultancies (2-4), then from 4-7, I coordinate with candidates for interviews and lineup. In the third half, I prepare documents. In fact, it saves a lot of time. For example, if I have to coordinate with candidates during peak hours, they are busy in meetings, projects, and traveling. After 8, they all settle down and can talk with a fresh mood. 🙂

Archana

Dear Sanket,

I think sitting late in the office does not have to do with the function you work. It should not even have to do with your boss (there are people who sit late just to impress their boss). It is all up to you and your work. If you have work beyond office hours and believe in completing the day's work on the same day, then you should not mind sitting late. If you intend to go on time, then you should either increase your efficiency of work or compromise on the throughput of your assignments. At the end of the day, it should be solely your decision as to whether you should sit after office hours or not.

Regards,
Ajay

It depends on company to company and the type of organization. Also, HR work is related to quality and not quantity.

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I have corrected the spelling and grammar errors in the user's input and ensured proper paragraph formatting with a single line break between paragraphs. The original meaning and tone of the message have been preserved.

Hi all,

According to my point of view, HR does not have any time limits like 9 to 6. HR works round the clock, not only when they are in the office but also when they are out of the office. HR carries a significant responsibility to ensure work continues even when they are not physically present in the office.

I can provide an example from my experience. I work in the automobile industry as an HR professional, and our company operates in 3 shifts. In case any issues arise during the third shift, the concerned departments inform me. This illustrates the need for HR to be available 24 hours a day.

Thank you.

Yes. If you plan your work well and organize, any HR person can work within the stipulated time frame.

Ramesh

Hi Sanket,

There's no strict rule that HR should work between 9-6, especially as you mentioned in the recruitment field. It doesn't work practically. In recruitment, you will need to schedule interviews, telecons, especially for senior individuals on weekends or beyond the typical 9-6 timings.

Regards,

I believe HR is not a back-office job, just sitting at a place and doing the job. HR is a vast concept. I believe HR job is related to understanding the expectations of people, i.e., Human Resources, to nurture, develop, and provide the right direction to it.

If the organization closes its operation at 6 PM and starts at 9 AM, it's okay to sit for HR there up to this time only; else there should always be HR present to solve queries of people. In my organization, the HR starts at 8:30 and ends at 7:30, but none sits for more than 8 hours unless it is required (during appraisals, key meetings, training, etc.).

Regards,
Govind

It's not always that HR works for more than 8 hours. But if time and situation demands, you need to spend extra hours in the office.

Hello everybody,

As per everybody's discussion, HR should work only from 9 to 6. Yes, they have to work in this time only because we are the connecting people of employees and employers. It depends on the team size of the HR division because we are handling a lot of people in recruitment, payroll, retention of people, etc.

For example, take my calendar. In a month, 20 days are allocated for recruitment in our organization, and the remaining days are for regular work.

Thanks,
R. Vigneshkumar
Vigneshkuma@gmail.com

Hi,

HR professionals' work timings will depend on the workload they have to handle at a particular point in time. HR jobs are routine, and with various software like HRIS and PeopleSoft, the workload has decreased. When policies and processes are in place, work can be organized and completed on time. However, during urgent manpower requirements, preparation and dispatch of letters to all employees, or month-end tasks, work can extend beyond normal working hours.

For HR professionals handling administrative tasks, the work pressure is higher as they are responsible for the smooth functioning of all office equipment. They may be called upon in situations like power breakdowns, thefts, delays in transportation for overseas guests, and more.

In conclusion, HR professionals are hardworking and often put in the same hours as other professionals. There are both normal and hectic days in every HR professional's work life.

Raga :-P

Dear Sanket,

I agree with your opinion. At the same time, I would like to talk about the difference in recruitment polls between the private and public sectors. When a position needs to be filled in the private sector, only a few applications are typically received, whereas in the public sector, there might be thousands of applicants. When comparing the two, the nature of work in the government sector is notably challenging, especially in recruitment.

As an HR person in the private sector, one can manage smoothly because the rules are very limited. However, nowadays, working as an HR person in the government sector, particularly in certain areas, is very tough and risky.

GK

I believe it is an "as and when required" method. When we require it, we sit late; otherwise, it's 9 to 6 only.

To answer this question, I think that it doesn't depend on the time one is spending in the organization; all it depends on is how efficiently one is utilizing the time in benefiting the organization and himself. If the output of something executed is profitable from all points of view, spend more time on that.

Planning each day's tasks to be accomplished will not only help to manage time but also help us in delivering the output on time. It is said that "anyone can live by working 8 to 5 hours, but success is achieved by working 5 to 8 hours."

But friends, I believe that, "If I get 8 hours to chop a tree, I would spend 5 hours sharpening my axe."

Hi,

I work for a software development organization. I have come across many HR professionals in my industry and other industries. I don't think industry does make them work extra hours. It's the need and their willingness that make the difference.

My experience as an HR practitioner involves working around the clock, even though you are out of the office. However, there are always your colleagues who will contact you anywhere and at any time, asking you about office matters.

Paperwork entails from the time you clock in to work (since HR is always the first to be in the office) until 7:00 PM most of the time.

So HR friends out there, do prepare yourself. Time management does not count in the HR line of work.

Dear All,

Some days HR will be hardly working. But there are days during month-end appraisals when we used to sit for long hours.

Regards,
Lakshmi Menon

Very nice topic for discussion.

I feel that HR job shouldn't be a time-bound job. It, after all, means managing people. Sometimes when work is there, even we have to wait and complete it because of the deadlines. So it's not that HR is a time-bound job.

Hi,

Flexibility is the keyword. If you are capable enough of organizing and finishing your work between 9-6, why do you even need to think of stretching? It's only when there is an overload of work that you need to stretch; hence, keep yourself flexible to the demands of your organization.

Thanks,
Deepa

I think HR people are also the same as other employees in an organization. Since everybody has shift timings, even HR should also have a stipulated time like 9-6 or whatever. If they are able to complete all their work within 9 hours, why should they have to stay for more than 9 hours? In times when the work requires it, it is the duty of all employees to complete the work, and everybody has to do it.

We should also think that even HR people are husbands/wives/fathers/mothers (responsible persons) who have families like others, and it is their duty to attend to their families as well. If they stay more than 12 hours in the office itself, what about their duties at home when they are needed?

Especially for women, this applies a lot because after their working hours, their children and in-laws expect them to perform home duties. If a woman extends her work at the office till late at night, what about her family? If her husband understands and cooperates with her, then it is okay. Otherwise, it will create a conflict again.

Hi Guys,

It's really a good topic for discussion. I feel 9 to 6 is the perfect time if we manage things properly and try to complete them as per priority. But in cases of huge and urgent requirements, appraisals, etc., that's when I feel HR personnel should stay late and handle things with responsibility.

Regards,
Sonal Mahajan

I think HR people are also the same as other employees in an organization. Since everybody has shift timings, even HR should also have stipulated hours like 9-6 or similar. If they are able to complete all their work within 9 hours, why should they have to stay for more than 9 hours? In times when the work demands it, it is the duty of all employees to complete the work, and everybody has to do their part.

We should also consider that HR people are also husbands/wives/fathers/mothers (responsible individuals) who have families like others, and it is their duty to attend to their families as well. If they stay in the office for more than 12 hours, what about their responsibilities at home when their families need them?

This situation applies especially to women because after their working hours, their children and in-laws expect them to fulfill household duties. If a woman extends her work at the office till late at night, what about her family? If the husband understands and cooperates with her, then it is okay. Otherwise, it might lead to conflicts.

The answer for your statement is that HR is different. The role played by HR is very responsible. There are so many nights I spend from morning 9:00 to night 9:00. We should be ready to work in night shifts also. We should be committed, motivated, challenging, and have both physical and mental exercises daily. We should lead ourselves and others.

I too think that for an HR professional, there is no fixed time bound in which you have to complete. Many times it happens that you are prepared to go home, but suddenly your boss gives you a lot of work to complete. So, at that time, you have to do that and go. There is no difference between an HR professional and a software professional.

Regards

Dear HR Mates,

It all depends on time management. One should learn to manage the work. I agree with Chitra and Roy that if our superiors hand over work to us while leaving, we have to stay back late at night. If we do not do so, the work will remain pending for months or even years. Therefore, the typical 9 to 6 timings will not apply to private organizations.

Thanks and Regards,

Srinivas Nednurkar

Hi HR Folks,

I do not think mentally you can switch off after 6 pm. You have to justify yourself, finish the work allotted for the day, and satisfy your fellow employees/colleagues. What more can you do for them to satisfy/retain them? So, guys, we are mentally working 24/7, 365 days.

All the best,
Ravindra

It is not true that HR professionals work only between 9 to 6. I am in HR, and I work every day from 9 to 8. At times, I have worked until 11:30 pm. So, the traditional notion of 9-6 work has become obsolete even for HR professionals. However, it would have been great if it's possible to leave at 6 pm. Work-life balance is achievable only if someone is able to leave at 6 pm.

Hi, I do not think HR's work is restricted to 9-6 only. Because most of the companies view HR as a strategic partner to management, it is no longer just a support function. Hence, the role of HR plays a very important part in the growth of the organization. Gone are the days when HR was known only for preparing salary statements and handling recruitment. Now, HR has to perform duties that align with the company's objectives and goals. These days, HR is thinking from a business perspective, incorporating strategic concepts like Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, and many other strategic activities in most organizations.

That's the reason HR's timing cannot be restricted to 9-6 only; they need to coordinate with key individuals in the organization to carry out their activities, which may require them to work long hours.

Best regards,
Vinay

Hi,

As an HR professional, I firmly believe that working from 9 am to 6 pm is a very long time to spend in the office. If the work is organized efficiently, one should not need to stay beyond those hours. While occasional flexibility is necessary, it should not be required very often. Efficiently working during office hours is indicative of an employee's productivity.

Regards,
Shweta

Hi Friends,

For an HR professional, there is no fixed time-bound in which you have to complete tasks. It depends on the situation where you may have to stay for long hours, and sometimes your work will finish earlier. Everything will be based on the current situation in the organization.

Regards,

Jothi Rao

Dear All,

As the Manager of a company, I believe that HR professionals should work from 9 to 6. The reason is that HR functions are not only related to employee salaries or attendance management, but they also involve evaluating each employee's performance and ensuring that their work is handled properly. In fact, HR is the backbone of the organization, and they need to be available at all times to support the employees.

In conclusion, it is essential for HR to be present from 9 to 6.

Thank you.

Regards, Bhawana Shara Manager Norvech Coxeta Technologies Inc. :-P

Hi, I don't think there is a hard and fast rule as to what time HR has to work. It could be flexible as per the requirements of the job. After all, you won't be training during the day in case you work as a trainer in a call center where employees are there at night. Plus, the demarcations of each job affect the kind of work, time, or schedule required for it. So, I don't think there has to be a stipulated time when HR has to work.

Regards, Pankaj

Hi Sanket,

Working 9 to 6 is good for everyone, not only for HR people. If we manage our entire day's work properly, we can work from 9 to 6. However, for HR professionals, it's a bit difficult to manage, especially for those in recruitment roles. During weekdays, when we schedule interviews, candidates often prefer early mornings or late evenings, making it challenging for HR staff to stick to a 9 to 6 schedule. One solution could be to plan interview days strategically to avoid extending work hours beyond 6 pm every day.

Regards,
Surendra

Sanket,

I don't think you can generalize the fact that HR professionals work/can work only from 9 to 6. It depends on which company, industry, and how fast the respective business is growing! I believe you would be in a position to make that comment only if HR is merely considered a support function rather than a Corporate Service (when you reach a strategic level). If you really want to take things to the next level, you would never find enough hours in the day to really do HR work!

Regards,
Kevin

Hi everyone,

Even though there was a misconception that HR is a cool job with 9 to 6 timing, now the trend has changed because of IT and ITES companies. When employees work the night shift, especially in ITES, HR recruiters, along with a few HR generalists, work the day shift, and a group of HR generalists, who are referred to as Employee Care Officers in some ITES and IT companies, work the night shift. Nowadays, HR professionals work on a shift basis in many organizations, and the recruitment timing starts from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. in most cases. It's not just about the timing; what truly matters is the growth we achieve in our careers.

I agree with the style of working 9-6, as I believe that if you really utilize the given 8 hours to the max without any interruption except an hour for lunch, then definitely we can wind up at home or other social events after 6. But on some peak days, there is no excuse.

Dear all, please read.

Feb 21, 2008 10:55 am

Email from the boss

(Embedded image moved to file: pic26574.jpg)

Mail sent by Narayan Murthy to all Infosys staff:

It's half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on.... PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing... And who's at work? Most of them ??? Take a closer look...

All or most specimens are ?? Something male species of the human race...

Look closer.... again all or most of them are bachelors...

And why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!! Any guesses??? Let's ask one of them... Here's what he says... "What's there to do after going home... Here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee that is why I am working late... Importantly no bossssssss!"

This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices.

Bachelors "Time-passing" during late hours in the office just because they say they've nothing else to do... Now what are the consequences...

"Working" (for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture.

With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback, (oh, he's a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!). They aren't helping things too....

To hell with bosses who don't understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!!

Very soon, the boss starts expecting all employees to put in extra working hours.

So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when you get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and That's when the problem starts... because you start having commitments at home too..

For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become an "early leaver" even if you leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work.

People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labeled as work-shirkers...

Girls who thankfully always (it's changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labeled as "not up to it". All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they are spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time.

So what's the moral of the story??

Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!!

Dear All,

The question here is whether HR should work from 9-6 only or not. Before answering this, you may have to ask yourself what all HR jobs entail and at the first place if HR is a job. I believe HR cannot be called a job; it's a passion. It's not like any other activity. HR is the strongest pillar, apart from the management, responsible for the growth and success of any organization. If people in HR start looking at their function as just another department, then the organization might survive but will never become a success.

Any HR professional with passion will make a good entrepreneur as he/she understands employee needs. He/she knows how to motivate employees. So, to make your organization a success, you need to have passion. Passion doesn't come when you view your job as a 9-6 job.

HR is a 24*7 job; you have to live it to excel in it. (This is purely my viewpoint.)

Regards,
Arun

Comparatively, an HR job isn't that hectic. I feel it's a routine job, and if managed well, one can finish the work within the stipulated timeframe. If a person can organize his/her work, then it is easy to do.

Dear All,

The question here is whether HR should work from 9-6 only or not. Before answering this, you may have to ask yourself what all HR jobs entail and, at the first place, if HR is a job. I believe HR cannot be called a job; it's a passion. It's not like any other activity. HR is the strongest pillar, apart from the management, responsible for the growth and success of any organization. If people in HR start looking at their function as just another department, the organization might survive but will never find true success.

An HR professional with passion can make a good entrepreneur as they understand employee needs and know how to motivate them. To make your organization a success, you need to have passion. Passion doesn't come when you view your job as a 9-6 job. HR is a 24/7 job, you have to live it to excel at it. (This is purely my viewpoint).

Regards,
Arun

Hi All,

I personally feel that this topic is irrelevant. I agree with Arun. Any job is a passion, let alone that you are working for your needs! If you love your job, there is no time limit for you to spend on it. You love your family, children, and do you restrict the time spent with them? Even when you have work, you spend extra time with your loved ones. So, why not apply the same dedication to your profession or job? Why only for HR professionals? After completing your work, regardless of the time, ask yourself if you have done the work satisfactorily today. If the answer is YES, you have done justice to your profession/job. If you need to stay back the whole night in the interest of your workers and organization, you need to stay committed to that extent.

Best regards,
Srinaren

Can anyone please help me in knowing how to post a question on this site? I am looking for the LTA claiming format.

Meenakshi

Hi, it's a nice topic for discussion. It is not mandatory that HR professionals should work between 9 to 6. Accordingly, it should be flexible because most of the time, I am working beyond six. We may even have meetings after this time, or we may have other work related to training, recruitment, etc. We cannot just leave it like mere office work because we hold a very responsible position.

With regards,
Amrita

Really a nice point of discussion.

I am working as an HR manager in a product development company, and I don't stay in the office after 6 P.M almost 80% of the time. The reason is that I have found out HR activities are connected with employees, and I hope everybody would agree when I say that almost 80% of them don't work or they don't have to work after their shifts. Hence, most of the time, I won't have much to do after the office shift, so I leave.

Saying this, as HR professionals, we also have our own targets, deadlines to meet like urgent requirements, a new policy, appraisals, etc. And during those times, we have to work overtime. In fact, during the end of the financial year when our production people were doing double shifts, I used to stay at the office until 12-1 A.M, just to show that I do understand their pain.

Take the case of IT professionals as well, their overtime increases as they near their target date.

Hence, I conclude that staying in an office overtime just depends on the work of the professional, and an HR person is no different.

Hi All,

My experience is that HR people cannot manage between 9 to 6, especially at the time of salary, increments, and other issues like strikes.

Thanks & Regards,
Naina

"Should HR people work between 9-6 only?"

It depends upon the work, or you can say the targets, beat in recruitments, PMS, Payroll, Grievance Handling & training which we have to complete at the certain time, and for this, we have to sit apart from the office timings, than we have to sit, to complete the targets, as per the requirements. But according to me, it depends upon the office timings too. Being in HR, if we will be working less than the other employees than we can't say the other to work at the time. And somehow we have to manage the time, according to meet our personal things.

Thanks & Regards,
Akangi

Hi, I am sure most of us would be facing this question: "Should HR people work between 9 to 6 only?" As you can see in any organization, technical guys need to work at least 10-12 hrs. a day considering their job profile. Comparatively, the HR job isn't that hectic. I feel it's a routine job, and if managed well, one can finish the work in the stipulated timeframe. Let's share everybody's view on the same whether HR, especially professionals in the recruitment field, should strictly work between 9 to 6 only...? What's your opinion?

Hi Guys,

This is an era where we call "work from home". Timing really doesn't matter; it is upon the individual how well he manages the time and can wind it up. There are some situations where HR should never restrict themselves in the time bound.

Hope you guys better understand.

Thank you.

With regards,
Praveen Kumar

Hi All,

I think the timing for HR professionals varies from function to function. For salary calculation and recruitment, one may have to put in extra hours; otherwise, for other personnel-related activities, 9 to 6 is enough.

On a more personal note, I believe HR professionals should make it a habit to complete tasks as soon as possible so that there is no pending work, and one can leave at the normal time. Also, I don't think it is physically possible for anyone to work efficiently beyond a certain point in a given day.

Regards,
Ashwini Joshi.

Hi,

I do not subscribe to the norms of late sitting in the office. If I am unable to finish my work within the given 8 hours, then I should seriously look into the way I am working. We all know that it is not the number of hours you put in, but the quality of work you can achieve or the productivity per hour that counts. I agree there are times when it is required to sit back late, mainly during the appraisal months, but it should not be a norm every day. I normally leave on time at 6 pm, but I have been in the office when required until 12 midnight. It all depends on workload and its urgency.

If everyone is sitting late every day, one should probe further to see if the department is stretched to the limit and needs more resources. For example, most of our HR personnel sit until 8 pm, but we have a 1:150 ratio (3000+ employees and only 20 HR personnel). If only a few personnel are working late, then one should see if they are being overburdened because they are the only ones who do good work, or if they require any sort of training to work efficiently.

Regards, Paromita:icon1:

Hi All,

I have a feeling that all of us are still treating HR as a support function. Once you look at bringing HR to become a strategic partner, then believe me there is so much more to learn, to understand, and deliver. We can be the pillars.

9 to 6? No, I don't think so, guys! Unless you chose the field of HR to only work the 9 to 6 shift, there is much to achieve and too little time to do it in if we want to make a difference. Like Robert Frost says, "And miles to go before I sleep."

Regards,
Kavitha

Hi,

First, thank you for this topic; it's nice and useful. Anyway, I think that you cannot set a fixed time for work in the HR or admin department because it takes a lot of time, and sometimes it finishes early.

Thanks

In most organizations, the working hours for HR professionals are typically from 9 to 6 only. This schedule allows them plenty of time as the duties and responsibilities of this role are not overly hectic. I have a question: Should people in HR serve as role models for other technical staff? If so, should they also take on the responsibilities of other technocrats? Can someone please clarify my doubt?

Friends,

At the end of each day, what counts are results. Whether we achieve them fruitfully in 1-2 hours or the whole 9 hours, it's immaterial. In my opinion, work should be delivered effectively on a need basis. There are times when we have to stretch, and I don't mind that. There are also times when we don't have work, and we can leave early. I don't mind that too! :-P

Each facet of HR is equally challenging. Each one has a different kind of pressure. There is nothing wrong with taking respite and then working, given that the organization is not suffering because of it!

What say?

Ya, I agree with Paanakaan. It is not possible to leave the office dot on time, but it is not necessary to stay back every day. However, during salary time, you have to stay back.

Regards,
Manisha

Dear sir,

I also agree with you. We have to work 24 hours, whether at the company or organizing events, solving IR problems at any time, even on holidays or late nights. This is because we are leaders, and leaders are always in front of the army.

Regards,
Mahesh M Ayati

Why should HR ensure that everybody leaves the office at 6 p.m. if they have completed their planned daily tasks? Nobody should be forced to stay longer just because someone else is working late. When planned and executed effectively, production employees can also benefit from an 8-hour workday. HR professionals may need to stay back if they are unable to finish their work within the 8-hour limit. However, maintenance staff may not have this flexibility.

Narendra

Yes, I believe that they should work only from 9 am to 6 pm because their job is not as easy as we perceive it to be. If you delve into their responsibilities, you will understand the challenges they encounter. The role of an HR professional is very demanding and hectic.

I think we are diverting the question raised by K. Sanket. If day-to-day work is completed, there is no need for staying back or pending blocks. Also, in some situations, you may have to stay back, but it is quite rare, such as during a CMD visit, meeting, accidents, or other issues. If a comparative analysis is done, HR personnel have quite a good time if good planning is in place. Throughout the 8 hours, we are not constantly engaged in work, but if productive work is done, I believe the work can be completed. As Dr. Samuel said, "A person can concentrate or work for a maximum of 7 hours in a given time, and if extended, they are likely to make mistakes or work forcibly, where errors are likely to occur." (Please note, I am referring to the concentration of the mind rather than manual work).

With Regards,
Amit Nag

I feel no one, whether in HR or any other field, should work for more than 9-10 hours a day to prove that he/she has a heavy workload or is very dedicated. I believe it requires planning and time management to complete one's tasks during office hours. At times, project deadlines might necessitate some techies to work long hours, but they have chosen that field of work. HR professionals also need to sit back and put in long hours at work when required.

Dear all,

From all your views, I would also like to add something spicy to this topic: "THE BEST HR IS THAT PERSON WHO CAN MANAGE BOTH COMPANY AND HIS FAMILY." This means he should complete the work within the time frame of 9-6 and still have time for his social life.

What does HR basically mean? "Manage people," whether they are in the office or at home.

Regards,
Ashish Shegokar
👤👤👤
Human Resource
Mumbai