Navigating Loyalty and Professionalism: How Would You Handle HR Dilemmas with Friends?

Hello HR friends,

Today, I would like to share an issue that I encountered and seek your feedback on it. Please do not just read it and leave without commenting. This problem may be something you have faced, are currently facing, or could encounter in your future work life.

During my time at XYZ company, we used to have apprentices for a year, providing them training and work opportunities while paying them a stipend. Typically, apprentices were only taken on for a year, and very few transitioned to permanent roles – maybe 1 in 100.

I was working as an HR Trainee, also on a one-year term. The HR department consisted only of the HR manager and me, managing operations across three plants on the same campus, resulting in a heavy workload.

One apprentice, a close friend of mine from my home state, and I shared a strong bond. We often had lunch together and enjoyed each other's company. I was responsible for managing leave and attendance for all employees, trainees, and apprentices, with all related tasks under my purview.

There was a policy where only the apprentices' salaries were deducted if they exceeded their allocated leave quota, unlike for employees and trainees. While I was urged not to enforce this rule by my boss, this friend of mine frequently took excessive leave to search for other job opportunities. When his leave balance ran out, he asked me to make adjustments to avoid a deduction from his pay. Despite knowing the company's lax record-keeping and the inconsistent stipend claims, I adhered strictly to the rules, marking his leave without pay.

I often discussed the apprentices' low salaries and poor living conditions with my boss, who advised against salary deductions even for those who exceeded their allowed leave. While I did not hesitate to take action against late or frequently absent apprentices, this particular friend's behavior put me in a dilemma. Eventually, both his and my one-year terms ended.

Reflecting back, I now question the extent of loyalty I showed to the company, especially considering the lack of recognition or appreciation for my efforts. While this apprentice remains a friend, I wonder what the appropriate course of action for an HR professional should have been in such a situation.

In my current role, where I handle highly sensitive and confidential documents, I maintain strict boundaries with friends to uphold the trust placed in me by my superiors and the importance of the work environment. Unlike my previous job, which held little value in terms of loyalty over a short period, I now prioritize integrity and professionalism.

I acknowledge that I may have bent rules for close friends in the past. However, moving forward, I aim to strike a balance between personal relationships and professional responsibilities while upholding the standards of my current role.

Thank you for reading and considering my experience. Your insights and guidance on handling such situations would be greatly appreciated.

I have not too much experience in this field, but I want to say something to you. Each and every company has a policy. As a professional, you can do your job honestly. I know how your friends will manage in Rs. 1000/1500. In this condition, it's very difficult. But if they manage the same, then they will get a good idea of how to complete their basic needs. They will have to learn something from this. I know this condition because earlier I had faced these types of problems. Don't forget you are a professional personnel. When you avoid the rules and regulations of the company, it's very difficult in the future for you. Because truth is truth.

So, please motivate them for a strong education background and confidence. I wish you will give your friends a good direction. Keep in touch.

Regards,
N. Khopade

Hi,

When you look at it from an organizational point of view, this encourages indiscipline. Good motivation may resolve the problem. The company may be achieving its objectives by hiring low-paid employees. The organizational goal should be more important than a departmental goal.

Furthermore, when you consider it from the employees' perspective, at that salary level, further cuts may discourage employees. I have high regard for your loyalty. However, patience is a precious thing. You should also exercise enough patience. Try to motivate your team as much as possible.

You need to be a good leader rather than a boss. A boss is one who demands, a leader is one who commands.

Regards,
Vishwanath

Hi Friend,

As an HR personnel, you should follow the rules and regulations of the company properly; otherwise, you may fall into disciplinary proceedings. We are the creators of the HR systems and also implement the systems. If you do a favor for one friend, then another friend may also want the same procedure, leading to a disruption of the entire system. Therefore, be alert regarding these types of situations.

Best regards,

S.Y. Naidu

But it so happened that in the specified company, the management people themselves did not follow the rule. So, my thinking became, why the heck should I follow it?

Hi,

In my opinion, profession/work and friendship are two different things. If I were in your place, I would never allow this kind of indiscipline, even though the colleague is very dear to me.

You can never be happy if you are dishonest and disloyal to others, whether in a professional or personal setting. While you can be lenient towards rules and regulations, you cannot be disloyal. Therefore, be able to differentiate between leniency and loyalty and act accordingly.

Sangeeta

Hi,

Yes, we all tend to break rules at some point in life for something that we give more importance to.

You know it depends on your perspective or thinking of the situation. Other people may think differently, but you have to decide whether you want to follow others, i.e., be a part of the crowd; or if you want to give the highest regard to your decision, i.e., stand out from the crowd, or if you want others to respect and follow your decision, i.e., be a leader.

I think one should go for the third type which would bring out your leadership qualities as well as not deviate from your own ethical values.

I think that in the XYZ company, it was good that you followed the strict rules and regulations and thought the company was yours. But don't you think you overdid this when you knew that you are going to be out within a year? When your senior did not object to the pay because he knew it is hard for an apprentice to find a job, and in that one year, everybody had to find a job. Your friend may not be the kind to find a job easily, and that is why he took rules leniently.

Whatever has happened is in the past!

In the present company, you are good to follow the ethics, but at the same time, you have to draw a line where you have to decide your leadership skills and the personal relations. You are right when you say you don't show your private yet sensitive work to your colleagues.

But don't be so involved in the company that you miss something that would have been good for you.

All the best!!

Regards,

Anuradha

Dear friend,

Great inner consciousness. Do whatever you want to do, but always keep one thing in mind: you should not hurt anybody. This anybody may be your friend or your company.

Everybody is of the opinion that in a company, one should follow the regulations. Friendship and company rules are two different things.

I believe we can mix both friendship and company rules until both are in a win-win situation. Sanction leave even if he has already exhausted his/her allotted quota against their presence when others are off or on leave. They may be called for extra work during the leave.

The priority is work, and that is the company's work. It is paid work and not social work. We must return every penny received for our time purchased by someone. Be sincere in your job.

It seems that you are too static in following the rules. Rules are framed keeping in mind general and normal conditions. See and think about the objective of making a rule.

The main thing is to achieve the objective and anyone's physical presence. Loyalty comes from inside your heart. Loyalty in such cases should never be equated with being a true follower of the written guidelines.

Please always seek guidance, not just guidelines. This will help you make the right decisions under adverse and unidentified situations.

Regards,

Anil Anand

Hi,

According to me, what you did was perfectly correct, for which I would quote some reasons.

1) I have mentioned what the use of following the rules is; none of them have followed, and also no one has recognized you. According to me, no one will so easily recognize the good efforts, which might happen only 1 in 100 times. Don't wait for things to happen; at least by following the rules and regulations, it will definitely help you to keep doing the good work, even when you reach the highest level in your life. Tell me, what do you think about this?

2) As quoted by Sangeetha, I think if you do this, it will not help to improve the discipline in your organization. Because your best friend might just pass this information to others, and such a case may not happen 1 in 100 times. Tell me your views on this also.

3) When it comes to the Rs 1000/1500, any particular employee will be knowing when he joins the company that he will be getting only that much and sometimes even less if he takes more leave. So, they will be keeping their financial commitments to that particular amount only or sometimes below. If your boss insists you not to cut, then do it to all such employees without their knowledge. But in my view, do it only if they deserve and are really worthy to the company; otherwise, please cut the amount.

Now tell me, what do you feel, whether you should follow the rules or not, irrespective of the outcome?

Regards,

Amith R.

Hi,

According to me, you should not talk like this against your previous company because you have learned many things from that company. Always remember that every company has its own unique policies. It is also possible that the company's financial position was not very strong.

I want to emphasize that the company where you are currently employed should be treated like a family; this approach will have a positive impact on you.

Hi,

I appreciate the concern for the poor in this case, but there should be the right approach to the situation. You have to show the right way of life, how they can be well educated and enhance their abilities to struggle through the situation.

Pandurang

Here I can see clearly four aspects:

1. One is your friend.
2. Responsibility towards the organization.
3. Management is lax in providing adequate support.
4. Not conforming as the apprentice.

In the initial stage, to gain experience, the individuals would have joined and given their full potential but slowly would have been conditioned to the atmosphere and culture of the organization. The organizational culture flows top-down, and being at the lowest rung, you had your own values and ethics, urging you to abide by the organization's rules and regulations.

Look at it from this perspective: when new apprentices don't see a future, they will seek the right opening for themselves. After all, they too need to support themselves.

Here, I feel middle management is well aware of the problem and also feels that they don't have a solution for it. However, being in a responsible position, it is important for you to abide by the rules and regulations.

It's tricky, as others (apprentices) might start perceiving you as a negative person. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the communication channels open and adhere to your ethics and integrity. These aspects will strengthen you as a person and pave the way for your career and personal growth.

Regards,

Dharmandar Attal

Regional Head Client Servicing

Astrum Sercon Pvt. Ltd.

Training & Consulting

Mobile - 9810643099

Email - dharmandar@gmail.com

Hi,

The problem quoted by you is very familiar, and I know everyone, at some point in their career, must have faced it.

My simple piece of advice: You work anywhere in the world, but never give an opportunity to someone to raise a finger on your honesty and integrity. Being a common, honest employee, understand that you and your company are in a mutual relationship of give and take, not just you and your boss. You work for your company. While you are working with this company, your boss may keep changing, but you can't bend your integrity according to them. Be honest; if your boss says not to deduct salary, I can understand his goodwill, but it's better to have written approval for that and also every time he asks you to do so.

Regarding your friend, make him understand that he is still shaping his future, and this kind of unaccountability could lead him to a dissatisfying career. Also, as an HR professional, you have a lot of HR insights to share. For example, you can advise your friend to maintain the right behavior in whichever company he joins. The new trend is that if you apply for a job elsewhere, your prospective employer may contact your current company for a background and reference check. If someone unintentionally says something negative about you, you could lose that job.

As an HR person, you need to think for the good of both people and the company. You need to keep both sides happy. If you work under disciplined people and within a disciplined company, both will respect you.

Regards,

Nalini

@AMITH R MURTHY

1) I have mentioned the importance of following rules, but none of them have been followed, and no one has recognized you. According to me, no one will easily recognize the good efforts, which might only happen 1 in 100 times. Don't wait for things to happen. By following the rules and regulations, it will definitely help you to continue doing good work, even when you reach the highest level in your life. What do you think about this? Amit thought that the company was an MNC, but the environment was deadwood. All managers were old and they themselves broke all the rules. I hated the company, but due to my loyal nature, I stuck with the job. Though I did not get recognized, I did my job. Only today do I think that I could have relaxed for my friend. When the managers spent company money and resources for personal works, I would get the same inspiration from them. However, changing them was impossible, and despite my initial efforts to change the culture, I received no support. Eventually, I decided it was better to focus on my job.

2) As quoted by Sangeetha, I believe that if you do this, it will not help improve discipline in your organization. Your best friend might share this information with others, though this may not happen but 1 in 100 times. What are your views on this? Discipline would improve if it were present in that company. There was no discipline in the company, and I trusted my friend 100% not to tell anyone. So, there is no issue of my friend sharing this information with another employee.

3) When it comes to the Rs 1000/1500, any particular employee will know upon joining the company that they will be receiving only that much, or sometimes even less if they take more leave. Therefore, they will keep their financial commitments to that amount or below. If your boss insists on not cutting pay, do it for all such employees without their knowledge. In my view, only do it if they deserve it and are truly valuable to the company; otherwise, please deduct the amount. Maybe out of humanity or if they truly deserve it, they were made to work almost 10-12 hours daily and were given a meager 1500 rupees. Permanent workers, protected by the union, do the same work in 8 hours, of which they actually work 4-5 hours only and take home 15000. So, why deduct their pay if their absences were genuine? They are just 12th pass/ITI passed and may not understand financial commitments. Regardless of the hard work they do, they have to leave after one year, so they are not valuable to the company. The best we can do is at least pay them their salary without deductions, help them gain experience, and progress in life.

@Dharmandar Attal

It can be tricky as others (apprentices) might start perceiving you as a negative person. They even feared asking me questions, and I never interacted or spoke with them. No one dared to speak negatively about me, and there were no takers for it.

@Nalini Sinha

A new trend is that if you are applying for a job elsewhere, your prospective employer may call your previous company for a background and reference check. If someone unintentionally says something negative about you, you could lose that job. My references are usually strong, and I am a true hard worker without a doubt. The idea of the company reaching out to other individuals apart from the HR manager is new to me.

Thank you for your replies.

Hi,

I have faced similar kinds of issues. To be honest, no company works on strict policies and procedures. Probably since it is a new job for you, you are finding it hard to see the things. What I can say is that you don't lose your values for the sake of the company all the time and also sometimes need to listen to the manager even though it is against company policy. Don't be strict on each issue; you analyze and then decide which way you need to follow depending on the situations and your understanding.

Thanks,
Pallavi.

Why do we guys need appreciation all the time?

We are here to do our job, and we should do it. We are not here to be nice and sweet. We should be strong, and as HR professionals, we are the pillars of the organization. We are the idols and mentors of employees. If we deviate from our goals and responsibilities, the respect HR has will be lost.

I know that there are many employees and HR professionals who engage in such mundane activities, but the respect they have, and you have, is hardly comparable. Your friend may not be happy with you, but deep down, he knows that you are a genuine guy and will do what is asked in the most professional manner. This kind of goodwill is hard to get and harder to maintain.

All the best, buddy. It's good to hear that we have such strong people in our industry.

Hi,

Being an HR professional, I feel that empathy, proactiveness, and positivity are much more important than the policies of a company. Just think, why are policies made? But if an individual is not comfortable with it and the organization is not facing any losses in case it is not followed, I don't think there's any harm if a needy person gets some benefit out of it. Your friend is just a trainee, at the verge of starting his career, and he wants to make optimum utilization of the time available. He must have the independence to do that, as the company is already making them work excessively. If you want to avoid such a situation with you or your friends in the future, as an HR professional, I would suggest you take an initiative and conduct a few career counseling programs for the apprentices to help them search for jobs as part of CSR. The company will also gain goodwill through this. I'm also a trainee and do not have any experience. I would be glad if you reply back to me.

Nandita

I would suggest you take an initiative and conduct a few career counseling programs for the apprentices to help them search for jobs as part of CSR. The company will also gain goodwill through this.

I told him I am not encouraged for any type of work, and when the managers are looting the company, there is no harm in me doing some good for my friend. It's not going to harm the company.

Hi,

Favoring your friends for presents might land you in a big soup in the future. Instead, you should educate them not to commit mistakes in the future. Maintain a healthy relationship with everyone and help them realize their mistakes without making them feel guilty. More importantly, keep your immediate boss informed about any significant issues.

Be loyal to the extent that both parties (your company and employees) do not face any difficulties.

Regards,
Hari R

Gentleman,

As an HR professional, you must be prepared to hire and fire. The company compensates both parties for services rendered; therefore, all friendships should remain outside the workplace. Secondly, you must maintain clear boundaries in your interactions and avoid letting emotions from personal relationships interfere with work. If your friend took advantage of your friendship, it may be because you allowed it. If you had set clear boundaries from the beginning, such situations could have been avoided.

Every company operates with a Management Information System (MIS) and relies on information from trustworthy sources. Although you may have put in a considerable amount of effort,

"I go to sleep vigilantly like a dog thinking about my workload all night. I wake up in the morning energized like a horse, ready to work swiftly like a deer. I toil throughout the day diligently like a donkey. I work tirelessly for 11 months straight like a bull without taking any breaks. I show respect to all my superiors like a loyal dog. If time permits, I spend quality moments with my children like a monkey. At home, I am gentle and caring like a rabbit to my wife," etc.

Your ethical standards and fundamental qualities as a competent employee seemed lacking, which might be why you were not retained.

Nonetheless, all is not lost. Stay professional and you will achieve great success.

I trust that my 25 years of experience will assist you in developing into a proficient HR professional.

Best regards,

Dear Friend,

Indian Labour Laws ensure that justice is done to employees, preventing employers from exploiting them. There is no law that prohibits employers from providing welfare to employees.

If in your previous organization the rule was to not cut the salary of employees who are not well-paid, it is a good practice, and I appreciate it.

Rules should be strictly followed without discrimination. If welfare is provided, it should be equitable for all employees. While being loyal is important, it should not lead to favoritism towards friends. An employee is an employee first and should be treated equally in the workplace. Loyalty should be consistent, regardless of the duration of association or circumstances.

Confidential records should be safeguarded, as only the Departmental Head or Plant Head should have access to them. There may be instances where individuals from other departments attempt to access confidential documents; in such cases, assertively maintain confidentiality without succumbing to external pressures.

Finally, remember not to overthink. Doing what is right for all employees and following rules with a humanitarian approach is essential. Treat all employees equally, without favoritism, as they are all part of the workforce.

Bibhutosh Bhadauria

Hi dear,

What you did for company XYZ during your internship was totally justified by what you always studied in your course and what you might have read in the leave policy books for any organizations.

However, when it comes to managing organizations, especially managing Human Resources of an organization, then you tend to be lenient.

Let me tell you something. I may be wrong, but it does happen. When you have two friends in the same company but at different levels, the person at the lower level always tries to take undue advantage of the second one, and the person at the higher level feels that the next one is trying to take advantage (even if at times when he is not taking it). So, this should be very clear.

You maintained your friendship, which is, of course, good.

Now, when you relate your case with your organization (a typical plant culture), does it give you that much authority to let the apprentice search for a good job during their apprenticeship period? Or, if you are planning to hire them permanently, then you can be strict. Otherwise, what you did is justified.

Manoj

Hi,

Since you mentioned that your boss was also not in favor of cutting salary, you could ask your friend to ensure that the work assigned to him is completed on time, and then he can take leave. If he exceeds his quota of leaves but completes the work assigned to him, it is still okay in the situation in which all of you were working.

When in doubt, try to view your decision from your manager's point of view and your friend's point of view. It should provide guidance as to what is right from wrong.

Regards,
Ajit

Dear Friend,

Any company has its own rules regarding the appointment of apprentices and their wages. There are government regulations on these appointments as well. Let us now analyze why these apprentices are hired by the company and how the employees are treated, paid, and trained there. I believe the government rules state how many apprentices can be appointed by each company, in which departments, how their work should be evaluated, how they should be trained, and that one day a week they should attend classes at the RE center, where they should also report on the company's attitude. This way, the government ensures that the apprentices are properly looked after. The compensation for the apprentices is fixed by the government.

If any officer in the company feels that the compensation package is insufficient for the apprentices, the matter should be discussed with top management. The government does not interfere with any additional compensation you may choose to pay the apprentices, except that you cannot claim it from the Board.

Let us look at it the right way. In theory, employers spend time, money, and energy on theoretical and practical training, evaluation, retraining, and dealing with losses or damage to machinery parts due to unskilled handling by apprentices, etc.

What do the apprentices receive? A thorough and practical training for a year, which prepares them for a job in the market. A good income is guaranteed to those who have undergone proper training and have acquired skills during the training period.

I believe that what the apprentices need is not sympathy, but real motivation and an understanding of how this apprenticeship can benefit them. Let them learn the hard way and strive to succeed. We all know the story of the growth stage of the butterfly or how beautifully shaped stones are formed in rivers. Only practical training and consistent practice on the shop floor can help an apprentice reach the top. It is the duty of HR to guide, motivate, evaluate, and shape them into good employees. However, in today's world, when they join a company as apprentices, they often think they know everything, start applying for jobs with false or fabricated resumes, and end up facing failures in their careers.

When I join a company, whether as an apprentice or an employee, I agree to all the terms and conditions. Yet, upon joining, I often find many things unsuitable for various reasons. Can we agree on that?

Let us justify each of our actions without bias. Let's take a stand that we can justify to our own conscience and not feel guilty later on.

Regards,

cmraj

Hi,

I felt that many opinions have come up which spoke about the subject, emotions, friendship, etc.

Tell me, friend, how did your so-called loyalty to your XYZ Co. help you develop as an HR Professional? I found that you are at the beginning of your career, trying to learn things and often in a fix when it comes to decision-making. I am addressing this issue, i.e., YOU since this is a forum for mutual help and development.

The management hires people like you to build a culture, inculcate discipline, and streamline the processes in the organization. So, to look at things from the management's perspective, they are paying you to do that, so why would they do it? If they do not follow rules, you do it. What matters in the end is how true you are to yourself and the company. You claim that you have been loyal to them, but what went wrong to change your opinion after you quit the company.

As someone had rightly pointed out, you should not talk badly about the company that taught you a lot of things, which could be very beneficial in the future. The world is too small, dear friend, so think and act.

I don't intend to address the confusion you faced, but to put it forward to you. As HR professionals, we need to understand the difference between personal life and career. When you learn this well, you will not find yourself in a fix the next time you face this situation.

Hi,

I want to tell you that if you dare to call yourself a professional, then you need to behave like a professional, as professionals don't break rules, come what may! I agree that your friends are managing their needs on such a low salary, but don't encourage them to sustain themselves on this salary for a lifetime. They need to be disciplined in life if they want to succeed and live comfortably. Whether an organization is big or small, rules are made not to be broken.

Coming to your case where you are not appreciated for your work, let me tell you, dear friend, that one day everyone will come to know the truth. If you lie in your job, nobody will trust you forever. Don't play with your career or your friends by being lenient towards them. Don't take this as a speech; I hope I have given you your answer. Take care.

Tapsi

Be true to your profession. Friendship in a professional scenario is good to a certain level only. True friendship should be with your profession and ethics, which will help you grow in your field. Companies come and go, as do your corporate friends, but your values remain with you always.

Piece of advice from someone who has experienced this incident many times before: Be true to yourself and know your limits as a person and as an HR practitioner. Maintain a professional relationship with your peers and colleagues, but have close friends outside of work. Understand the job's demands and do not expect anything in return—not even a simple thank you. Keep matters private as if your life depends on it. Prioritize your well-being; do not sacrifice yourself just to keep a job.

Loyalty has its limits; everyone is dispensable in this job, even HR professionals. Enjoy your life. I hope this advice helps you. God bless always.

Rule is that rules must be followed, but for individuals with meager salaries, rules should be somewhat flexible.

Ashraf Alam
HR Manager
VCCL Ranchi

I would suggest that whatever may come, whether it's for your good or any other reason, always be loyal and sincere to your job, whether it is for a year. At least you will be relaxed and have job contentment, knowing that you did it well. Whether others follow or not, it's their problem.

Bhavna

Well, one thing that should be kept in mind always is that your professional life is different from your personal life. Never mix your friendships in your professional life. That's what I have learned from my job, and I think you would agree too.

Khushbu.

Being a professional, one should be honest with the role and responsibilities. At the workplace, one should not mix professional ethics with friendship and other relationships. Regarding appreciation, if you do not receive it at your current company, consider changing the workplace; however, compromising with values is not appropriate.

Rajendra Dhande

As someone has rightly pointed out, you should not speak poorly about the company that has taught you a lot of things, as it could potentially be very successful in the future. The world is too small, dear friend, so think before you act.

I know when to criticize my company and when not to. In interviews, I never speak negatively. However, that does not mean the company is good; it is actually quite bad, and working there feels like hell.

Haven't other colleagues shared their feelings about their company, culture, boss, or colleagues?

This is a lesson for all of you. People who advise me to always be loyal (which I am anyway) may find themselves in a difficult situation tomorrow. Loyalty could be influenced by how they are treated by their company. The saying goes, "You can sow thorns and reap flowers" or something like that.

Your company treats you well, which is why you emphasize loyalty. If you were in a terrible work environment, you wouldn't learn anything. You might find it better to relax the rules, especially if everyone, including the company, is taking advantage. So, what would you say if I were very loyal and reported the manager for using office phones for personal calls and the office vehicle for personal use?

I believe in responding based on how the company treats its employees and see nothing wrong with that.

THANKS FOR YOUR VIEWS...

Dear Friend,

Only two things you should answer now:

1. All these days, you have been in a rented house (temporary job), so you can do anything (good or bad), and your house owner will only scold you for the bad things. Your efforts in maintaining the house are useless, but your name will be remembered if you are loyal to the house owner. Whoever comes and goes, he will say, "I had a person who is very good and maintained my home as if it's his own house."

2. Now that you have a permanent house (your permanent job), what will you do? Will you be loyal to your home, or will you damage your own house, considering your bad experiences in past rented houses? Please think... the answer is in your hands.

In a Nutshell,

It is not the problem that is the issue but rather your attitude in attending to the problem. To become happier, we either need to:

a) Change the world, or

b) Change our thinking.

It's easier to change our thinking. For example, you are expecting tomorrow to be bright and sunny, but if the day starts with rain, what will you do? You will accept the day whether it's sunny or rainy... it's all in your thinking.

I hope you agree.

Sincerely,

Senthil Kumar

Well, I just posted my opinion. Even if I had helped my friend, my employer would not have recognized it at all, as he did not have time to do it. So it's not that I decide to do something without any thinking, and I know he will not speak badly about me. Even though I left the job, I am on very good terms with my manager, and we still keep in touch. But I'm talking about the company environment, and the most common thing that a person would do in my case is what I did, provided they faced the same environment.

Hi HR friend,

In my view, you have done nothing wrong. I am a PGDBA student. One thing we are taught in our management course is that one should never be in love with their organization, but rather be in love with their job. That's how you can excel in your career. Also, your case was an issue of ethics, and that varies from person to person.

My ethical views match with yours. I would have done the same thing if I were in your place. You have done a great job! Congratulations and all the best.

Tithi

Hi,

In my view, professional and personal life should be different from one another. As professionals, we should not encourage this type of attitude. We need to follow HR job ethics, so be loyal to your job, not loyal to your company.

Regards,
Hari

Hi,

You have admitted yourself that the HR process was not up to date. So, people who know the system well work around it. But yes, people like us work hard but not smart...

Hello, friend. Make yourself professional. No HR people have personal relations with any worker. And you say that you are paying a salary of $1090, but this is not a salary; this is a stipend, okay. Apprentices are allowed to receive only a stipend. They have one-year training in industries, and they get a stipend. Please try to counsel both sides with your boss and your friend. Friendship is not at work. Regards.

It is not a matter of loyalty to the organization but ensuring that you are doing your duties. If an employee is late or absent, mark it as it is, don't give any consideration whether he is from your own state or is your roommate. Make sure that you are doing your duties as per the Standing Order of the organization. The apprentices are paid as per the rules of the Central Government and not according to the policy of the company. As such, leave rules will also be those fixed by the government.

Hi,

Quote:

But the old job was just for some XYZ, which is not at all worth being loyal, and that too, for a one-year period. So don't assume that from now onwards I have decided not to be loyal/sincere to my job; I just want to say that the above XYZ job was not worth being too loyal.

Unquote

Is loyalty related to the time you spend in a company? Please think objectively.

Regards,

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Well, I was just looking for something to post when I came across the above article.

I want to express that even in HR, there are certain actions that, whether legal or illegal, should not be condoned. One must either adapt or seek a different job.

It has been mentioned by everyone that the company pays us, and in return, we should be loyal. The company is obligated to pay us as we work for them. I have learned that one must go with the flow and cannot go against it.

In my case, even if I had helped my friend, no one would have found out. I am aware that everyone in the company behaves similarly. Initially, I attempted to instill discipline, but why would senior executives with 6-7 years of experience and managers with 10-12 years of experience listen to me, a mere HR trainee?

So, I decided to let go of everything and focus solely on my own growth, letting the company deal with its own issues.

As mentioned earlier, how the company behaves reflects how you should behave. Those who strive to go the extra mile and implement their ideas, even if legal and ethical, face low chances of success, approximately 1 in 100.

Therefore, it is up to you whether you wish to take a risk with your career or maintain the status quo.

Hi friend.

In this regard, I totally agree with the people who said that what you have done is completely wrong. Though we have to judge our friendship, we should not be dishonest about the position we hold.

You mentioned that your seniors are also engaging in similar behavior. But what about your values and ethics? Try to follow the things that you like, and never attempt to copy things from others.

You have clearly shown your bias here by instructing all the apprentices on how to manage their leaves and utilize them properly. If they are selected for any reputable organization, will it be possible for them to take leaves as freely as you have allowed? I am not sure. Therefore, we must adjust to what we receive and justify our job by shouldering the responsibilities.

There are many other ways to help your friend. Do not encourage these kinds of actions in the future. Even if the management is not good, you must be extremely loyal to the tasks assigned to you.

Have nice and great days in the future.

Regards,

Sweety

Dear Friend,

There is nothing to be sorry about what you have done in the past. At the same time, have some standard principles for all situations. Look forward and march ahead but beware of ill habits, for every compromise starts once before forming a pattern.

Hi Anuradha,

Don't you think it is always good to follow the policies of the company and not go against them? If at any point you feel that the company's policy goes against the employee, you should escalate it to higher authorities and then provide proper reasoning to modify the policy.

What would HR do if a person on leave was marked present in the attendance and the individual met with an accident in another city?

Priya

What would the HR do if the person was on leave and was marked present in the attendance, but the person met an accident elsewhere in another city? The present is marked the next day only and not on the same day itself.

I mean there are basic things you need to see when you do something not in the interest of the company but in the interest of the employee. You have to be smart enough to cover up for all that you do.

Hi,

The situation you faced was very natural, and most professionals are undergoing the same in their respective professions.

I just want to point out a few things for you:

1. First and foremost, you need to know how to balance your personal and professional life.

2. You should be able to segregate your personal issues from professional issues.

3. Give others liberty, but not to an extent that they take you for granted.

4. Instead of telling lies or going through a third person to inform your friend about your job, openly tell your friend and explain that you can't compromise your job ethics. They will appreciate your honesty.

5. Don't just love your job; instead, like your job. Have a passion for your career.

6. Have only 1 or 2 friends within the company. Otherwise, you may lose your dignity and job accountability. Choose friends who are similar to you in the organization.

7. It's immaterial whether you receive appreciation in your XYZ company. It's the other way around; they missed recognizing a potential leader and a good employee in you. Even if you place a 500 Rupee note in the mud and crush it, those who still recognize its value will pick it up, while those who see it as wasted paper are fools and losers.

8. Do justice to your job in a way that brings you satisfaction, allowing you to end the day worry-free and able to sleep peacefully.

Always remember, WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET (WYGIWYG).

BE HAPPY AND KEEP SMILING.

Regards,

P Umesh.

Hi,

In my opinion, whatever you did was correct professionally and ethically, which I think a person should always stand by. Friendship is something personal. I feel loyalty is a part of character, so it's a personal thought again.

I have been working with my best friend (friends since 10 years) for the last 2 years, but there are certain things which I never share with him as a professional. Absolutely no biases. I don't think you should regret anything, as you have lost nothing but gained loyalty. So what if your manager didn't appreciate it, you have discovered it for yourself; even that is important.

Enjoy!!!

Hi,

This situation could be one of inconvenience for us as loyal employees of the company. Yes, it may happen in anyone's career.

In my opinion, the company holds more value than individuals. As HR professionals, we should not condone such behavior. Allowing it could potentially disrupt the company's policies and system. This is where we need to guide the wrongdoers towards honesty.

In such scenarios, we do not lose our friends either, as they are the ones who stay with us till the end of our lives.

Thanks & Regards,
Kannan

Hi,

See, no company is good or bad, big or small. What matters is how professional we are during our office hours. I can understand your feelings; however, you need to be more focused on the company's policies as they cannot be changed for an individual. One can only be relaxed if you have the authority to go beyond the policies and when there is no one to ask any questions from you.

Since we are working in a corporate environment, one cannot rely on verbal authorities. Unless you have the authority and power given on papers, you have to abide by the company's policies, no matter who the person is - be a friend or be a brother.

One piece of advice - just because you are a temporary employee does not mean you can stop performing. It is you who is performing, and what you carry down the line is the experience and the way you work. So, don't be emotional; be professional.

Regards,
Vikas

Hi,

As it's said, it is as per personal discretion what a person gives weightage to &ndash; personal or professional. When it's work, it should align with the expectations of your job and organization. When it's personal, it is up to you. So, try not to mix the two, as the more they are kept apart, the more efficiently a person can manage their roles.

Having been in HR for the past few years, I sincerely feel that an HR person must always maintain a suitable distance from employees in other departments due to the nature of their work, the data involved, or the confidentiality of matters. Just as an HR employee cannot disclose certain information to others, there needs to be uniformity in rules and regulations for all employees. We cannot differentiate based on personal preferences.

Furthermore, if we show bias towards one person or another, it will eventually be noticed, leading to a tarnished reputation, regardless of our current status in the company. Therefore, it is at our discretion what we want to prioritize &ndash; our own integrity or personal preferences. One should prioritize professionalism and handle matters as they should occur.

If your boss dictates that decisions should be made at their discretion, one should strive to maintain consistency.

Thank you.

Dear Friend,

The government has set the rules regarding stipend (minimum) amounts. There are companies that pay above the stipulated amount. You can influence the management and encourage them to do the same.

When it comes to ethics and rules, you must abide by them. If you happen to break them, it may lead to ongoing issues. Over time, working in a system-driven company where you do not adhere to the rules may label you as inefficient. As HR professionals, we are expected to be role models and focus on behavioral competencies. In my opinion, it would be better to resign from a company with imperfect systems and join one where processes are in place, even if it means accepting a lower salary. This way, you can work peacefully and enjoy your job.

As you climb the career ladder, it is your responsibility to address these issues. Therefore, it is advisable to follow the rules and work with seniors to improve the systems.

I hope you understand my perspective.

Thanks and wishing you a happy new year - Kameswarao:-P:-P

Hi,

The best anyone can do is to be honest in your job without compromising about the relations they maintain with their colleagues, juniors, or with seniors. As you see in your job, you know that you are working for a temporary duration (of course one year may be a long time in some cases), so generally the employer does not care about your efficiency because they know that they are not going to give you a permanent job. Also, it is clear that the apprentice's salary will not be cut even if they take leaves in excess of the usual leave policy. So I think you wasted much time in being too honest and trusty. You must have identified this very earlier in your job and took the tasks so easily. That way, you will be happier going. But things can change depending upon the employer and their plans. If the employer were to start a new branch and they need some experienced guys to help new trainees, then you might be that one senior person, which is truly rewarding.

As far as work ethics are considered, what you did is 100% right. You did the best you can do, and so your honesty and efficiency at the workplace will be remembered. Sometimes the best are not always the best rewarded.

Be at your best always whatever happens.