Open Discussion: Should HR Report to Operations? Join the Conversation!

Can you please join me in the open discussion on why HR people should report to Operations people?

Regards,
Narasimha Enni

As most of the work of HR pertains to legal and finance, in my opinion, the final reporting should be with the finance head.

This doesn't happen all the time. It is all based on the structure of the company and organizational hierarchy. The VP-HR or Director-HR reports to the CEO or the president of the company. In cases where the head of the HR department is not at that level, for example, if the head of HR is an Assistant Manager or Manager, then they are asked to report to the CFO or CTO.

In situations where the branches of the company are spread across the country or globe, the HR Head (VP-HR or Director HR) sits in the corporate office. In branch offices, they place Senior HR Executives, Assistant Managers, or Manager HR. In such cases, it is not possible for the VP-HR or HR head to oversee the work done by Executives or Managers at the branch level; hence, they are asked to report to the branch-head or operations head.

I hope I have cleared your doubts.

Thanks and Regards,
Sanjeev

Thank you, Narasimhan, for the question posed.

The answer depends on many factors: the size and structure of the organization in question, its culture, and to whom you are directing the question.

The following website [HR Survey: Who Should HR report to?](http://www.super-solutions.com/HRSurvey_WhoShouldHRreportTo.asp) quotes a survey conducted in 2006. According to the survey, of the 93 respondents, "Eighty-two (82) percent identified the CEO as the senior executive to whom HR should report. Eleven (11) percent suggested the COO, and six (6) percent chose other. Zero (0) percent selected the CFO, which ironically oversees the HR function in many organizations."

[Leadership and Management Success Tips: Business Management Success Tips - Why HR Should Never Report to Finance](http://humanresources.about.com/od/humanresourcesstrategic/qt/hr_reporting_b2.htm) on this website, the author gives the reasons why HR should not report to Finance, though that is what happens in a number of organizations.

One more site with the views of Dr. John Sullivan of San Francisco State University can be found at <link no longer exists - removed>.

Have a nice day.

Narasimhan