Feeling Stuck in My HR Role: Should I Seek New Opportunities for Growth?

Career Growth and Opportunities

I am an MBA graduate with a specialization in HR and have 2.5 years of experience in Recruitment and Generalist Profiles. Currently, I am employed as a Sr. Executive - HR in a small to medium-scale industry. However, my current role lacks significant responsibilities and opportunities for learning and growth. While I consider this period a learning phase, expanding my knowledge in various HR areas is crucial to me. I have been with this company for the past two months.

I aspire to work in a company that offers opportunities for personal and professional growth, where I can learn, work diligently, and receive competitive compensation. Should I consider seeking a new opportunity?

I eagerly await your valuable suggestions.

Thank you,

Shilpa

Such problems are common among freshers, so you need not feel unduly stressed about it. You have 2.5 years of experience and you joined this company just 2 months back. Either your choices were limited, or you did not research much about this company. Anyway, you can always keep learning at this phase of your career, and learning need not be restricted just to the confines of your job assignment. You can also keep a lookout for better opportunities in the future.

Warm regards.

Thank you for your valuable reply. Actually, my previous company was good, and even my profile was good, but I was badly treated by my reporting manager. There was a lot of politics and partiality, which is the reason I wanted to leave. I was very much depressed. At the same time, I had an interview in this company and got a job. They told me that I would be the only HR to take care of everything, so I thought I could learn many things here and joined.

I had previously worked in a big company where there were 800 employees, whereas here, there are only 60 employees. There are many differences between this company and my previous one. I found it difficult to adjust at the beginning, and when I come up with new ideas, I do not get proper support from the management. So, I am worried about my career.

As you mentioned, I am looking for a change, but in the meantime, I am learning whatever I can here. I have enough time, so I am just making the most of it.

Thank you.

I have one more query. In this company, there are so many strict rules being followed. This company is registered under The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1961. They do not allow mobile phones inside the office premises, and employees are required to leave their phones at the reception before entering the office. It's a token system here; a token will be given, and during the lunch break, they can use their mobiles. After that, they have to submit their mobiles at the reception again. After office hours, they will collect their mobiles.

Many strict rules are enforced here. All employees are expected to work for 9.30 hours a day, with only a 30-minute lunch break; no other breaks are given. It's a 6-day working week.

If work demands it, employees have to extend their hours, working even on Sundays without overtime pay. They cannot take compensatory leave either. If they take leave, their salary will be deducted. Employees are not allowed to take any leaves during probation or after confirmation; if they do, their salary will be reduced. As per the act, employees are entitled to 1 day of leave for every 20 days for adults and 1 day for every 15 days for young persons. They are required to work for 54 hours a week, which goes against the law. Some employees are working more than 54 hours a week.

When I joined, I had a meeting with all the employees, and they all complained about these issues. I sent a detailed email to my CEO, but it was of no use. Salaries are also not paid on time. The management is getting work done from employees at low wages. Seeing the employees' situation, I feel bad, and sometimes I think I am just an HR in name only.

Please suggest to me what I can do in this situation.

Best regards

Dear Shilpa, it's nice to see you being open to suggestions. You are unhappy when you compare your last company with this one. Had you sought help earlier, you might have received timely assistance to endure the atmosphere there. But now it's history, and instead of feeling bad, just focus on the learning that you have come across. It's rightly said - people don't leave companies, they leave their bosses.

About Your Present Company

You will have to endure and accept the situation. One can understand the limitations of a 60-head count company. However, remember that where there is more darkness, even a small light looks bright!

So, you already know the problems; now go ahead and try to solve a few one by one with patience and perseverance. Be ready to accept resistance and opposition. But do remember, even a small, well-thought improvement will matter a lot. Being a sole HR also has positive aspects; be visible on the scene, try to solve as many issues as you can. After you become familiar and acceptable to all, you can try out your initiatives pertaining to change management.

Warm regards.