Feeling Stuck Under an Overbearing HR Manager: How Can I Transition into HR?

Seeking Advice on HR Transition Challenges

Please help me with the scenario below...

We have an HR Manager who has been working with this organization for a very long time. He has created his monopoly. He doesn't allow any of the HR or recruiters to understand anything about HR, such as how many positions are vacant or what the salary slabs are. He just gives me data for calling candidates. I have 3 years of experience in this industry.

Even if a junior trainee is seeking information, he steps forward and interacts with the trainee. This makes me feel like I have a worthless job.

It's a large organization, and I have been promised that I would transition into HR after recruitment is over, but I see hardly any hope for the same.

Kindly suggest how to move forward?

Regards,
Sejal

I can well understand your scenario and can suggest that there's very little you can do about it. But before jumping to any conclusion, let's take a quick review of the situation.

Confirm Your Tenure

Firstly, can you please confirm your tenure with the organization? If it is short (which seems to be the case), then give your manager some time. Managers usually take time to settle and build trust with a particular employee. Don't forget to keep showing your curiosity to learn and understand the details, keep questioning, and one day you will get the answers.

Seek Alternative Learning Channels

Secondly, if you are not receiving direct support from your manager, try to learn from alternative channels such as your colleagues and peers. If you have access to payroll, check the current salary of the type of employee you are looking for. If you have access to personnel files, check the salaries offered previously.

Market Position Comparison

Thirdly, compare your organization's position in the market and develop a rough estimate of what it can offer compared to its competitors.

Patience and Time

Lastly, time and patience are key in overcoming many career obstacles. Don't think aggressively.

Cheer up!

Thanks for your reply, but I would like to mention here that the girl who has worked here for 3 years has been facing the same problem, so you can understand.  This organization's impression in the market is not good. In fact, working hours are 10 hours more per week than company laws state on paper, and the salary offered is extremely low for deserving candidates. We find a lot of problems calling candidates, as sometimes they reply, "We would love to change, but not with your organization."

How much time should I give reasonably, according to you?

Regards,
Sejal

Oh, okay. I thought you had 3 years of experience in another organization within the same industrial domain. Anyhow, if you have spent 3 years in the same organization yet your manager is behaving like this, then I feel that you are making your life stagnant here. Look for a change and move ahead... All the best. There are many greener pastures waiting for you.

I am in complete agreement with Neha here. Such people (as your HR) are victims of false superiority feelings that are accompanied by a self-acknowledged sense of insecurity, and hence want to keep their juniors under their thumb. There is nothing you can do about such a fellow. Just relax, take a long breath, and start looking for a change.

I am also a 2005 pass-out. You would be surprised to know more facts about this manager. He has not yet given me an offer letter or appointment letter. When I asked for it, I got a reply, "What difference does it make?"

I would also like to share that I have submitted my original L.C., and now I feel that I have made a mistake.

Kindly suggest...

Navigating Workplace Challenges: Understanding Your Manager's Actions

Your manager has noticed your potential, and he is afraid others will notice it when you directly interact with people and deliver services. That's why he keeps you busy with tasks that are not core HR services, so you are not aware of what is going on. This is just the beginning; he will tire one day and start giving you work to take off his shoulders.

Regards

I think that you should start looking for a good opportunity. Three years is a substantial time period to spend in an organization, and if things are not in your favor, then moving ahead is the best decision.

Simta

Let me clarify one thing. I have three years of industrial experience, and I have only been with this company for one month.

Hi Sejal, probably, the discussion has been misinterpreted, leading to a hasty conclusion. You are only one month old in this organization, yet you have a total of 3 years of experience. In your second post, you mentioned another girl who has been with this organization for the last 3 years and is facing a similar problem. Let me clarify:

What I stated earlier definitely applies to you. Also, never compare your position with the other girl and avoid assuming that you will be treated similarly because every individual has different potential. After assessing that, different responsibilities may be assigned to each individual.

Take about a year to prove yourself, and do not dwell on negativity by observing your colleagues or boss. Your work should be your priority now, and do not give anyone a chance to question your accountability.

Hope that suffices.

This happens everywhere; you are not special. But I would advise ignoring such things. You cannot change anyone's attitude, whether they are junior or senior. Dedicate yourself to your job and let him manage whatever he wants to do. You could draw the attention of management when the time is right, like during his performance appraisal or in a grievance discussion with top management.

Regards,
Dr. Mita, HR Faculty

It is better to look for a change and expose these kinds of hypocrites in public. This would be a lesson for youngsters to make decisions before joining companies like this.

Regards,
Ramesh

First of all, collect your appointment letter anyhow because if you leave this job after, say, 1 year or so, the next employer will always ask for the appointment letter, so don't miss this.

As you are only one month old, I would suggest that you do not take any radical step like "quitting." Try to understand the situation, be calm, hardworking, and focused. Don't mess up with your boss. I would suggest trying to be manipulative because being assertive with this kind of boss will not take you anywhere. I have also faced such a situation. I tried my way out by sugar-coating my demands. For example, in your case, if you want to know about the current openings in your company, keep on asking for details in a softer/polite way again and again until he realizes that you are genuinely interested and not going to give up.

Most importantly, if your company holds a good brand in the industry, then stay there for at least 1 year and then change to get a good name on your resume.

However, if your company does not hold any good brand name, then just quit ASAP because at present, you can give the reason that your current company and employees are not good, so you are changing. But later on, after a few months, it would be difficult for you to switch over. The next employer will ask you why you want to change just after a few months of staying.

Since you are experienced enough in recruitment, try to be smart in your approach.

Regards,
Shivani

Fighting with the boss is like fighting with a pig; the more you fight, the more it enjoys. So, either go to his boss, if any, or to the company boss. Explain your problems if he has time and an ear for you. If all these fail, start looking for a change. Be clear about your stand and what has been told to you. Send a mail copy to his boss; otherwise, he/she may shift all failures onto your lap. After each incident, send an email to him/her so that you have made your stand clear. If you simply keep quiet or have not aired your view, then you may be at a disadvantageous position. So, keep sending emails and build up your case.

Regards,
Dr. Nagaraj

I am thinking that something wrong is going on in the HR department of your organization. I mean to say that "there is something fishy happening." Your HR manager is engaging in illegal activities which others will find out if they have access to records.

For example, you should verify whether the PF deductions from employees have been accurately reflected in the PF annual return or if they have been attributed to other employees' accounts. There could be many instances where manipulation can occur. You need to investigate all of these matters in order to secure your position.

Best Regards,

Modi Ashok Kumar

My simple suggestion is to create job descriptions and KRAs for yourself and all other employees of the organization, including your boss. Provide information to directors and the CEO regarding this.

The problem you are facing with your boss is not only your problem but also an issue for the organization. Prepare HR policies and work on this accordingly. It will take time and effort, so be prepared to work hard.

Seek assistance from other departments to put an end to the monopoly of any particular person.

Thank you.

Ms. Sejal,

Your HR Manager, who has been working for a long time, means that the top management knows her working style and has never objected. This signifies that they do not want to change the person. You cannot change the situation because the top management does not want to change it. Therefore, it is futile to try.

You are an MBA graduate with significant experience, so it would be better for you to consider changing your job. If you continue with this company, there is a possibility that you will lose your confidence and skills.

Regards,
Mitesh Pathak

I fully agree with Neha and Pradyumna_Atri; start looking for another job. Whoever tells you that you have to change your way of looking at things is wrong. You are perfectly correct in wanting to learn the job, and as an employee, you are doing the right thing when you ask your boss. If in 3 years he does not have the common decency to behave like a boss, then seriously, he is the one that has an attitude problem... he needs to take a crash course on management skills!!

All the best!!

Dear All,

Let me clarify one thing: I have 3 years of industrial experience, and with this company, I am just 1 month old. Sorry that I misunderstood your experience with this company as 3 years. Since you just joined this company, give it some time. It is very difficult to trust someone new with professional matters. HR has all the critical knowledge of the company, so it will take time until they trust your work experience and capabilities.

Regarding the person you mentioned, perhaps she is not trustworthy or not suitable for significant responsibilities. Therefore, do not compare yourself to her. Instead, demonstrate your potential to your senior and earn their trust. Once they realize your capabilities and see you as an asset rather than a threat to their position in the company, they will assign you better work.

Dear Sejal,

I can understand how it feels when you are mature enough to understand and do things properly but don't get the chance to do so. In your case, as you mentioned that your new boss has created his monopoly, I understand that what people are saying might be right, but don't let your mind be influenced by others.

Secondly, since you already have 3 years of experience as a recruiter, you should not worry about the positions from a learning point of view but focus on getting proper and complete information about any work assigned to you. Keep things documented in black and white. Ask him to email you, and if you can't, then email him about the work you are doing and any problems you are facing while completing the assigned tasks. If possible, keep a senior person in the loop (depending on your company's scenario). In my organization, we can involve our seniors if there is something critical happening.

Regarding your point that he doesn't let other people approach you, give people some time. Try to be more interactive with employees during lunch or tea breaks, discuss official issues, their opinions, and put forward your input gradually. They will come to know you as an HR person, and if they feel comfortable discussing with you, this problem will be resolved. Since your boss has been working here for a long time, other employees see him as the right person to discuss things with, but over time, people themselves will come to you to discuss their queries.

Please don't solely focus on your boss's behavior and attitude. Whenever you get time, try to explore new things related to HR. Look through employees' personal files to understand the quality of employees in the organization. Review returns, check for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and if there are policies in the organization, read them or create new ones. If your department holds daily or weekly meetings, use that platform to discuss these aspects.

Alternatively, try to arrange a monthly meeting with your boss and his seniors to present new ideas and suggestions.

Things can improve if you make an effort to enhance the situation. Whatever you do, do it for your learning while keeping the organization's and employees' benefits in mind.

In a month's time, don't rush to conclude your opinions about anyone.

Changing jobs is an option, but I would not suggest that, as problems exist everywhere in one form or another. Be strong enough to face such people and strive to establish your position in the eyes of others.

Regarding your appointment letter, ask him to provide it to you; otherwise, draft a letter yourself, print it out, and ask him to sign it. Alternatively, discuss this matter with his senior. Hopefully, there will be someone who will listen to you in this regard. Solutions are always available for every problem; we just need to adjust our approach.

I have shared what I felt about your problem. I hope I have not said anything wrong, but if I did, my apologies for the same.

Thanks

Hi friends, this is very easy to say: have patience, learn... bla bla... but really it's very hard to face such seniors. I totally agree with Sejal and Neha.

Mine was also a very small environmental firm in Delhi. Both the MDs were the same, highly authoritative. Sejal keeps on asking for your documents because my colleagues also faced such problems. They were fired without any notice period and without documents. Ask your boss for an appointment letter at least. It's been three long years now, sweetheart. Say you need it for any reason.

Regards,
Nidhi

Hi Sejal, as I understand the issue, you have a good work experience of 3 years in this industry. Forget about all the tall talks about patience; just one word - QUIT ASAP. Imagine if you leave the company after 6 months or at most, one year, your stability will be questioned because you will definitely be asked the reason for quitting so early compared to the 3 years of experience in your previous firm. And remember, you can't tell them that your boss was bad as HR is all about people management - good or bad.

Start an intensive job hunt, and since you are just a month old here, there is no need to mention the experience of this company. If asked about the time gap, tell them that you had taken a breather after working for a constant 3 years to recharge and reinvigorate yourself.

To whomever it may concern, the comments posted above are a bit challenging for me to comprehend. Could you please explain the content once more in simpler terms if possible?

Thank you.

Dear Neha, this type of problem is common, especially in the HR field. You have to do just one thing: improve your knowledge from your peers, friends, or networking sites. I also faced this problem a few years ago, but I continued my work and improved my knowledge. Now, the scene has changed, and I am the head of the Rajasthan and Gujarat region. So, focus on your motto and improve yourself. We are all here to suggest to you.

Regards, Dhaval Pandya [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]