How Should HR Handle a Difficult Owner Without Risking Their Job? Seeking Advice from Experienced Professionals

Hi All,

If in an organization HR feels that the owner of the organization is not correct, what should an HR do? Obviously, you all will say stand against it and correct him, but the owner is very rude. If in this company HR stands and corrects him, she will lose her job. Now she is not liking the atmosphere, but she also cannot change it because she is like a statue in this company. Now what should this HR do... Please advise me. (I know she can leave the job and look for another good opportunity) but apart from leaving her job, what can she do? Hope to have comments from all seniors.

Regards,
Neha

Hi Neha,

Greetings for the day. The very first thing I would tell you is that you mentioned that HR is nothing but a statue in an organization. Now, what big difference does it make if that statue is shifted from the office?

The bitter but truthful fact is that HR has not added any value to either the organization or the owner; otherwise, he would have listened to her out of fear of losing her.

The second thing is that escaping is not the solution. What is the guarantee that in a new job, the HR will not find such a rude boss? Moreover, you have not mentioned under what circumstances the owner has been wrong. If you elaborate, I could add some valid points.

Hey Neha,

What is the use of HR in the organization if you just have to be a statue? Being a "Yes" man is always an easier thing to do. Going up against the tide is what takes courage. The owner will not change his attitude and behavior overnight. You have to work hard to win trust, which may take time, but you will surely get your say if you play your game right.

So, my dear, be strong. The worst that can happen is that you will lose your job, but at least try to change their point of view.

Plan a meeting with the owner, go fully prepared with all the things you need to discuss or disagree with. Never say anything negative about the owner's decisions. Sell your ideas by presenting a big picture of pros and cons. Explain everything in terms of money, as most owners understand this language very well.

Just being a spectator and enjoying your job without saying anything will not yield results. Try to be part of the system to change it.

Let's hear from you now, what you have to say, and then we will discuss it further.

Regards,

Archna

Dear Neha,

That is the tragedy of HR. Though evolved from personnel to HR, it continues to face an identity crisis. Secondly, who is 'she' here? Are you referring to yourself? You have quoted the situation of HR only. But what about other departments? Do they receive the same treatment? The problems you face are encountered by many HR professionals across industries. This is not something new. Consider quitting the job and moving on to a new one. I hope you find a more deserving boss.

Ok...

Dinesh V Divekar

Hi Gaurav,

The quote is about me only. It is a growing organization. I joined it 2 years back, and in these two years, the full team has been changed twice.

According to the thinking of management, somewhere I won their trust and proved something to them, which is why I am still here in this organization. I had no plan to change this office for the next two years also, but I think circumstances are making me do it now because now they are on me. :(

Neha

Archana, I do agree with you. But you know here they don't accept any of my ideas. Approximately 8 to 10 of my ideas for improving the company atmosphere have been rejected. And now, last week, I overheard them talking about me and my tasks, discussing how to overload me. I understand we are paid for our work, but after two years, I have streamlined each task and feel relaxed while performing my duties. However, my relaxed demeanor seems to make them think I have no work, which is causing issues.

Given this situation, how can I present my positive ideas to them and discuss improving the company atmosphere? Since catching them talking negatively about me, they have started blaming me for trivial matters. I feel disheartened because after two years, it seems like I need approval for every minor task.

What should I do now?

Please reply,
Riddhi

Hi Neha!!

Firstly, you need to identify the problem: is your issue with your owner incorrect for a particular issue, or is the problem with his own attitude? Because being an owner, he'll always have a different angle of thinking. As you have mentioned that within two years, your team has changed twice, this is an alarming situation for HR and Management. Firstly, you should study the reason for such a high attrition rate; there may be some problem with the organizational culture. Accordingly, you can convey to your management that if they continue with the same attitude, they will end up in big trouble.

You have to convey your ideas in their language, which they can understand.

If you can share the exact situation with some examples, I'll be able to make some suggestions.

Mayuri

Hi Mayuri,

I will give you an example of their behavior towards me.

I know everything about this organization very well, and I am responsible for preparing the budget of the company. Additionally, I manage all cash payments and maintain all other accounting records.

Suddenly, I was instructed by them to report everything to them. I agreed to do so. Every employee used to come to me daily to ask for others' phone numbers, so I thought of putting all contact numbers on the notice board. However, due to my boss's instructions, I asked for permission before doing so. To my dismay, he replied with a firm no, which left me feeling disheartened.

In another instance, I approached an employee and requested him slowly to submit his conveyance bills. As I was returning to my seat, my boss called me and questioned my interaction with the employee, leading to another unpleasant experience.

I believe the same treatment is affecting every employee, leading them to quit their jobs. After two years of service, facing such situations, what steps should I take?

Regards,
Riddhi

Hi Neha,

You didn't share the entire story earlier; in this case, the solution could be different. You caught them red-handed talking about you, which means someone is passing on all the information to the owners about you and your work. I have come across a company like that where one of my friends was working, and you won't believe that the case was exactly as you have explained. Ultimately, she left the company but only after making them realize their loss.

Speak openly about what you have heard and be cordial while discussing. Ask them openly if they want you to leave. It will take a little courage, but believe me, you will get satisfaction when you discuss everything openly. Then you can leave in a proper manner so that they won't trouble you further.

All the best, and don't lose hope. The unprofessional owners in family-run businesses mostly behave like that as they get insecure easily.

Regards,
Archna

Hi Riddhi/Neha!

I think in this case, you should go to them directly and ask what happened all of a sudden that they have started disbelieving you. First and foremost, you should make it clear with them whether they are doing this out of disbelief in you or if they are observing the processes. In the latter case, you have every right to question them for any refusal of your idea. If you still believe it's because of reason number one, disbelief, you should convey to them very clearly that HR cannot work without the trust and support of management.

You can remind them of their old days. I think you should sit at the table with your management and discuss what you feel. After working for two years, they should give you your own space and delegated authorities up to a certain level. Tell them that Management has to take care of several strategic matters relating to the business. If they are interfering in the day-to-day issues, they are just wasting their own time, which they could utilize for business development.

Mayuri

Hi all,

I have gone through your comments and suggestions to Neha, and I want to know something from Neha.

- I want to know something about your organization and your role. Are you the senior one by post in your HR department?
- You were talking about changing the atmosphere of your organization with your new ideas; what changes do you want to make?
- Lastly, I would like to know something about your boss/owner and what he wants. I just want to know why he is not accepting your ideas and what he wants you to do.

Now, I just want to say that you need to do what your boss wants you to do because in your correspondence, I found that you do not have a very large organization and have no proper setup of HR & Admin.

If you think that your boss has full faith in you and, as you said above, the entire team has changed twice except you in your department, you can just put forward your ideas to him, as you are already doing. But my dear Neha, if you are not getting a proper response from your boss, that means you have to wait for something until your boss understands the required changes in your organization, and you have to wait.

Second, I agree with Mayuri that you need to identify the problems and just continue doing what you are doing but very carefully. This will also show your interest in your department/organization and towards your work and career. So keep doing this. One day, he will realize this if he really wants to run his organization successfully.

I won't say I can understand what you are going through, but one thing I must say is that you need to stick to your job confidently. Time speaks, dear. You'll definitely get him convinced one day.

_________________________________

Ya anil I am the senior one.
Change in atmosphere relates with – no one talk to each other in office…always it's a pin drop silence. No loud laughs. No open body language of employees. No jokes no bonding in between employees. These all things are not good for an healthy atmosphere in this company.
Boss is usually very good by his nature but now a days he is behaving very aggressively. A mediator is there between me and boss…well he is not mediator for all tasks but for some tasks only which doesn't relate with accounting. He is a relative his relative also. I thinks my boss is very possessive towards his company that's why he don't listen to me.
And ya you are right and after all this I m on same way of quote i.e.boss is always right. J
I think buddy they don't want to loose me but to operate me like a kathputli. May be that's why they are doing like this. but somewhere it hurt but I don't answer them and listen to them.
And if you are saying interest for this job so seriously now I am loosing it …..
Yaa dear time speaks and I also do agree with you!! J
Thanks
Neha

Neha,

The very first thing you have to do is to show your importance to them. As you mentioned, the entire team has changed twice in two years except for you. This indicates that you have succeeded in showing your importance to some extent. Now, it's time to assert your dominance. Regarding the consideration of your ideas, as you rightly pointed out, the organization is in a developing stage, so they may be afraid of taking risks. In such cases, it is HR's responsibility to guide management with proper groundwork and calculated risks. This is the only way to earn the trust and recognition of the owners.

Buzz me for more clarifications.

Hi Neha!

It's great that you have taken the decision to clarify things between you and management.

I just read your earlier comment regarding your office environment... like pindrop silence... employees can't speak openly... I think it's like a primary school... No employee would like to continue working here... the day he gets an opportunity, he'll fly away...

You can explain the reason for such high attrition in your office. It's the responsibility of the employer/HR to make the workplace a great place to work. Employees should love coming to the office every day. This is the best way to increase employee efficiency. I wonder how any management can behave like this.

One more thing, an HR cannot function without emotions. So never think that I'll be working here without dedication, emotion, or bonding. I can't say that I understand your situation, but until the last working day, we should continue with our same enthusiasm.

Just clarify things... If you still feel they are deliberately doing this to you, then it's time for your departure...

Mayuri