Feeling Stuck in Admin Tasks Instead of HR Work – How Can I Address This Career Setback?

Dear all,

Recently, I changed my job to an HR Executive Generalist role in a construction company. Previously, I was working in an international consultancy as an HR recruiter. My new company is paying me less than what I was earning in the previous company, but I accepted it because I wanted to transition to a generalist role. Now, my concern is that since I joined here 15 days ago, they have been assigning me primarily admin tasks unrelated to HR. I joined this company to learn, but I am not getting the opportunity to do so. I am worried about this situation. Please advise me on what to do.

Regards,
Amrita

Dear friend,

I would like to suggest that you first try to find out the HR-related work being carried out in this company and identify who is responsible for these tasks. Then, assess if there is any opportunity for you to engage in HR activities. This is a small guideline from me. Please send us your reply.

Regards,
Sharad
Executive HR & Admin.

Dear SHARAD,

Thank you very much. Actually, at the time of recruitment, 3 HR people hired me, one person for the site, and another girl. I don't have experience as a generalist, but that girl does. All the HR work, from recruitment to salary and performance appraisal, is being handled. Our HR manager and the other girl are performing all those activities. For me, I just have to search for software for my MD, that's it.

Dear Zenith,

I strictly advise every friend of mine to know the complete job description before joining any organization; otherwise, this is where we end up. I request you to approach your HR Manager and convey to him/her your desire to excel as a generalist instead of ending up as an admin person. Convince your manager that you are willing to take on and learn all the generalist functions/activities in HR. Explain that this was the reason you decided to leave your previous organization since there was no scope for such a role there. Make it clear that during the training process, you are willing to handle both HR and admin responsibilities, but once you have mastered all the generalist activities, you will transition into a generalist role, leaving behind the admin duties. Additionally, express your willingness to assist with admin activities on an as-needed basis.

I hope this guidance will be helpful to you. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions.

- Babu

Hi Zenith Amrita,

I want to clarify the misconception that only work related to recruitment, appraisal, and welfare come within the ambit of HR. In most organizations where manpower is lean, a number of administrative responsibilities will have to be discharged by HR personnel. Administration work is part of the HR domain. It is not alien. In our long career, we need to be masters of handling many difficult things that the organization needs. For the young ones, every work is an opportunity to learn. Please learn it and prove your mettle, and in due course, ask for a change of roles. If you have proved your efficiency and versatility, you will be able to get whatever you want.

I want to counsel our dear young colleagues that they need to become versatile in their careers. That will help them bid for senior-level positions at a later date with multifarious responsibilities like real estate care, house magazines, public relations, security, corporate publications, township and corporate social responsibilities, and a host of other activities.

R Sundararajan