How Can I Break the Ice with Shy Junior Engineers as a New HR? Seeking Advice!

Hi,

I have recently joined this company where I have been asked to introduce myself and interact with the junior engineers. I have been asked to break the ice and ensure that these guys relate to me and approach me for any HR-related problems in the future.

The problem is, they are freshers and are very shy/nervous talking to a female. They are reluctant to talk to me on a one-to-one basis. I really cannot force them to do so, nor can I sit in front of them and demand them to talk to me.

Can anyone please advise on how I can tackle this problem? Has anyone faced this kind of situation before? Any help will be deeply appreciated.

Regards, Deepa

Certainly! Here is the revised version of the user's input with spelling, grammar, and formatting corrections:

Yup, I have been through a similar situation. For the kind of thing you gotta do, you gotta be a buddy to them. I know it sounds tough, but you can take them out for lunch and slowly mingle in with them. You have to hear any small issues they might have and solve them before they will trust you with big issues. Start small training programs with icebreakers for them. Have a daily meeting of 5 minutes with all of them, etc.

Hi Deepa,

I would suggest that you ask them to provide their suggestions or share any issues they have in writing or through email. I believe this approach will slowly break the ice and help both parties.

Regards,
Jayaraj

I think it's not very difficult. Being an HR professional, you will be on doctors' rounds regularly for some time. During doctors' rounds, you voluntarily talk to them, say hi, ask how they are, etc., with a smile. Very soon, they will become cool and relaxed, and your problem is solved. It's only continuous interaction that matters.

Thanks,
Sat.

Dear Deepa,

The best way is to interact with your employees on a regular basis. Try spending a couple of minutes with them, join them at coffee and lunch breaks, share some interesting moments of your professional, and if necessary, personal life as well. Keep them at ease in all cases, see to it that you develop a relationship where they don't hesitate to discuss any problem with you. But be careful not to give them too much liberty since they might misuse it. Try framing policies or making amendments or refinements in the existing policies that would benefit the employees to some extent without affecting the organization's goals. Discuss with them in a friendly manner regarding the problems they have, accept suggestions/requests, and work on them. Remember to use the 90% - 10% principle. According to this principle, listen 90% and talk 10% to employees about whatever they say. Never be harsh. Employee morale is most important and can only be gained through regular interactions, good suggestions, guidance, and respect, which would help the organization achieve its objectives.

Vijay

Thank you very much, Pranati, Jayaraj, Satheesh, and Vijay.

Vijay is absolutely right when he says I should not allow them to take too much liberty. I had been in a similar situation in my previous job, got a bit friendly with the employees there, and a couple of guys took it otherwise. I guess that's an occupational hazard when you are a female in a predominantly male domain.

By the way, I tasted the fruits of success yesterday when I had an informal chat with some of the boys, and they seemed to appreciate the effort! So, thanks once again to all my fellow HRs who took the time out to help me out!

Dear Deepa,

Sounds great. Good luck and all the best. Remember, not organizations but people create excellence. So, be as polite as possible in order to achieve what you want. Feel free to discuss anything related to your profession.

Vijay

Thank you, Vijay. I really appreciate it :)

There have been instances in the past where I have encountered problems at work and did not know whom to ask! Feels good that there is a forum where like-minded people like us can discuss issues and find solutions...

Long live Cite HR! :)