How Can We Transform Our HR Department with Limited Budget and Support?

Hello Managers, I am Ritika, and I am working in an old manufacturing company in Bangalore. There was no HR department before; they have just started. However, things are very challenging as people have accepted the old way of working, and there is not much support from headquarters. Additionally, most of the HR responsibilities were handled by Finance and Admin. We have to wait for approvals, and things don't seem to move forward.

Seeking Suggestions for HR Transformation

Can you please suggest how to bring about changes here with not much budget allocated to the HR department? Please help and give your valuable suggestions!

Regards,
Ritika

I can relate to the situation you are going through, but it has settled down on my end. First, I would like to understand your Key Result Areas (KRAs) before offering any suggestions. Could you please share them with me?

Additionally, I am curious about your experience in HR.

While my questions may seem unusual, they could help me provide better suggestions.

Regards,
Anil

Hello Anil, thanks for taking interest in the matter. Well, I am a fresher and I have another HR with me. We are a team of two. Our responsibility is everything under HR, but from scratch.

Suggestions for HR Interventions

Please suggest what kind of interventions can help me make the HR visible and effective from a company's point of view.

Regards,
Ritika Sinha

Please find the attached document herewith for your reference.

Thanks & Regards,
S. Narendra Nath
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Navigating Initial Challenges in a New HR Role

It is obvious that in the initial days, you will not get cooperation from anyone, specifically from the Accounts & Finance department, since they were handling some of the HR work. They will constantly search for your mistakes. However, things will go smoothly after some time. I have already faced the same situation in my present company, and after 10 months, I achieved 80% success.

Steps to Build Confidence and Understanding

Initially, try to interact with all the HODs and employees, and build confidence in yourself. Understand the organization, hierarchy, and behavior step by step. Collect documents from the Accounts department related to PF files, ESIC files, PT files, and Wage registers. If you encounter any difficulty, talk to the finance person. If you find any difficulty, talk to the Director.

I hope these suggestions will work. For any help, feel free to contact me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Regards,
Praveen Bhosale

It definitely is a difficult task, but not impossible. In fact, this could turn out to be one of the best learning experiences of your professional life.

I can give you some generic suggestions since we really don't know the organization and its policies and culture, etc.

1. Do not use any confrontational style at all. Instead, focus on building confidence and trust. This is easier said than done, and progress could be slow, but that's the only way to move forward.

2. Get support from top management. I am assuming that there is already some amount of support and vision since they have introduced a new HR department. The management has felt the need for HR, and hence they must have gone ahead.

3. Get clarity on what the key expectations of the management are in terms of HR deliverables. Do they want HR systems to be in place, grievances to be handled, better people to be recruited, etc.? Understand their key areas of concern with the current system. Put your thoughts together along with your colleague and draw up an action plan for achieving 3-4 key areas. Discuss and focus on these initially.

I would need to understand your situation thoroughly to be able to give concrete advice. You can call me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons] if you wish to discuss more.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Regards,
Santhi Krishnan
Director
Metrica Bizsol Pvt Ltd.
F-42, Shagun Arcade
Off Western Express Highway,
Goregaon (East)
Mumbai - 400063
Ph: [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons] / [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

The same situation has happened here. There was no HR department before. Most of the HR responsibilities were handled by the finance department—leave, salary process, wages distribution, ESI, EPF, contractor wages, OT wages, wages register, etc. I joined here three months ago. I have more than 5 years of experience in HR. Management does not recognize the HR department. People are working in an old style, getting permission/on duty/leave from their head of the department. There is no interaction between HR and employees. I am in charge of license work only. I am totally disappointed, but I will try to focus on my area. Up to March, I have been waiting here with no improvement; I can go to another place.

Regards,
S. Senthilkumar

I'm glad that Narendra covered for me in my absence. I am pretty sure this attachment provides a lot of information and will help you get started with the initiatives. My advice will align with this document, and every step highlighted here will keep you engaged in multiple meetings and discussions with your existing staff, which will be valuable in maintaining the existing tradition.

Wish you good luck and stay in touch!

Regards,
Anil