Feeling Stuck in My HR Role: How Do I Handle a Boss Who Won't Embrace Change?

Dear seniors,

I have a total of 6 years of work experience and have been associated with a manufacturing organization for the last 15 months. My entire experience is in a generalist profile, and my primary KRA is Training & Development, Employee Engagement, and welfare activities.

When I attended the interview for my present organization, the GM - HR promised to hand over the above-mentioned KRA to me as I had previous experience in the same. Upon joining, she fulfilled her promise. However, strangely, I found that in all the above jobs, the most important task is to serve food, tea/coffee, count the crockery and cutlery after every training, and so on. This is not only for training but also for all monthly celebrations where HR used to serve food to everybody.

I was surprised by this custom and spoke with my teammates, who confirmed the same. Then I tried to discuss this issue with my boss (GM-HR, as the entire HR team reports to her directly, with no hierarchy defined as she is not willing to establish one), and she reacted significantly.

Training Steps

I discussed with her that training means the following steps should be taken:

1. Nomination
2. Attendance
3. Pre and post feedback collation and analysis
4. Long-term feedback collection & ROI calculation
5. Training cost calculation, etc.

She refused to agree on all these (in a diplomatic way), and since then, I have tried to convince her a lot on all these points. She has been associated with this organization for the past 35 years and started her career as a secretary to the MD, rising to this level. I appreciate her career progress, but a few things she comments on are not appreciable, like:

1. "I appreciate attitude more than qualification."
2. "MBA-HR is not really helpful for an HR career."
3. "Only 2/3 hours of work is done on the computer; else, all should be manual," and many more.

After all these, I thought that since our (my boss and I) thoughts are from two different poles, I should leave the organization and find another job. So, I updated my CV on one of the job portals. As soon as I updated the CV, within a week, she got to know about it (I have no idea about the source of information). She called me into her cabin and asked me why I am looking for a job and said she would ruin my career for this. I denied the fact (to save my life).

Please suggest what to do in this situation.

I am still waiting for the advice. Kindly suggest what I should do in this kind of situation.

I am waiting for your advice. Kindly suggest what to do in this kind of situation.

I have 49 views and only one suggestion. I am really in a difficult situation and need advice from experts in the HR field. It's my request to get a good suggestion to come out of this situation.

Really, it is a critical situation. You need to convince your boss by explaining the exact responsibilities of HR. Attitude is important, but as HR professionals, we are not responsible for providing food or tea. Seek support from your employees and HR team, then approach your boss together to discuss the issue.

Thank you, Williams. I already discussed this issue with the team members, but unfortunately, the plan failed. I am now determined to pursue a new job, and my only concern is that she is making my life miserable while I search for jobs. I don't even understand how she found out about my CV update on a job site. She is like, "I will not understand the HR profiles, and I will not allow anybody to leave my team. I will make everybody miserable if they try to go elsewhere." I spoke with a few team members and learned that a person who tried to search for jobs a few years back faced the same situation and has been suffering since, still associated with the organization. If you can offer suggestions to help me handle this situation, I may be able to navigate my way out of this predicament.

I would also like to get suggestions from all of you so that I can help myself to come out of this situation. Every day that I am spending in the office is hell for me. Thank you for your assistance.

I don't know if you are still working with the same company or not. First of all, you have to decide what you want. If you want to be dominated by your boss, then you can continue. As an employee, we always have the right to change our job at any time. Nobody can force us to work. After all, we are not bonded labor. If I were in your situation, I would talk to her. If she understands me, then I would not create any issues. But if not, then I would clearly tell her that I don't like the profile, which is why I want to change my job. Maybe in that case, you might lose your job, but you will face problems for a short period. If you are not mentally satisfied, you will never progress in the future. So, never be afraid about the job market. Jobs are always available, so don't worry about the job; only think about your career opportunities and knowledge. And of course, if you are truly being mistreated by your boss, you can also consult with the human rights department.

Regards,
Sampriti

Advice on Handling Workplace Pressure and Career Decisions

Please block your company name on the job portal so that your HR head cannot view your profile there. No one can force us to work under pressure. Moreover, as the HR head, your boss should first address the grievances of her team members to ensure the team is fully engaged. If the HR team is not engaged, how can your boss expect the entire workforce of the company to be fully engaged and productive? Being young and energetic, you desire robust HR processes to be implemented in the company. Therefore, your boss may feel threatened if she allows junior opinions to be considered, as it may diminish her value. Since you have already discussed this with your boss, there is no need to rehash the matter.

My advice is to perform your job diligently, follow your boss's instructions, and concurrently explore new opportunities. Please refrain from discussing this with your colleagues until you secure an offer. It is essential to note that HR is responsible for facilitating the smooth exit of employees.

Thanks,

Bhumi

What Bhumi said is absolutely correct. Whatever site you're using for jobs, block the name of your company first. Do your job diligently so that your boss is not able to point a finger at you. Search for a job. Do not disclose to anyone until you leave the company with the Service Certificate. Who is the boss of your boss? How is your relationship with your GM (HR)'s boss?

You have a long way to go. Best of luck, Pavan

Don't be surprised that your boss has found out that you have updated your CV on a job portal. It's not difficult to find out as updated resumes are displayed with the date of the update.

It's a strange practice that HR has to provide food and all. All I can say is, keep searching for a new job and continue to do your work sincerely in this company as well. Do not leave until you have something good in hand.

Thank you.