Is Joining a Struggling HR Department Worth the Stress and Politics? Seeking Advice!

Respected Seniors



Some days back I went for an interview. The Head HR was a lady and she was taking my interview. My interview was ok and at last she told me that she want to tell me something about the organization because she feels that she should. Now what she told me I am telling you.

This is a growing engineering firm established before 4 years it has four departments Project, Marketing, Finance and HR. She joined this company before 2 months and before her joining there is no HR department. Now all three departments (alongwith their HOD and employee) are not ready accept this forth department i.e. HR department. The lady made many good system like personnel filing, Suggestion box, Held Meeting with the other department, organizing the parties, picnic, quiz but all are in vain. She introduced many systems like “Thank You Card” etc. etc. but nobody is interested in all. According to her becoz she is younger in age and taking good salary so all the HOD's are not ready to accept her ideas and view about anything doesn't a matter how beneficial it could be for all of them.

Further the lady told me that on the very second day of her joining she lost her cell worth Rs. 22,000/- every day there is puncture in her car. When I told her to restrict her security guard she told me that even Security guards are with them.

Since I was working in very good and big organization (she also came from a very good organization) having the strength of 10,000 employee and that organization( where I went for the interview) has only 175 employees and only 30 employees are working in these above said four department (HR has only one employee). She asked me would it be good for your career.

The lady also told me that she is suffering from much stress and this kind of working culture damaging her health too. She is very patience type of person and since because of my personality she thought that I also am a very patience so she would like to hire me.

She was ready to hire me if I was ready to come in this type of culture and organization. According to her this is ocean of politics and corruption. When I asked her that why don't you have meeting with your boss? She told me he used to be out of country and at the time of joining he said “It is a challenge for you”. Her husband is also VP (HR) in an organization and advised her Take it as a challenge”.

She took it as a challenge she asked me if you are also ready to take this challenge then join otherwise it is your choice. According to her “She told me all this because she does not want that later I blame her for mentioning all”. And at last she also told me that if you'll come to know about any good vacancy then let me know.

However everything is over now and I m working in my same organization but till now I don't know what she should do? Needless to say that she was a very good girl with a good personality and communication skill she was HR manager in her earlier company.

May be I could not describe the situation very well but from my post you all have a brief Idea what I want.

I am posting this because I really want to help her.

Seniors do tell me is it really a challenge?

I am waiting for your valuable comments maybe

Best Regards

Sushma

Hi, Sushma.

This is quite shocking, but it happens in organizations. The building up of frustration and wastage of her skills is quite relevant here. This is one of the key issues that need discussion, and the matter does need to be sorted out.

With these key issues in mind, CiteHR members in Delhi have an HR Meet to discuss their HR issues and concerns and also discuss how we can enrich the knowledge in HR. We have had two HR Meets, the last one being held on 4th November 2007. You are invited to the next meet, which is likely to take place on: 25th November 2007. If you are interested, kindly let me know. You can also send an email to: cite_hr@yahoogroups.com or msanjukta@sify.com.

Looking forward to a positive response from you.

Regards, Anuradha

Dear Sushma,

Greetings!

In this century, it is not a new issue. To my knowledge, where there is pressure and politics, you can learn many things. In my friend's company, he and his manager are in the HR department. My friend used to do all the work, but all the rewards and recognition will go to his manager because he doesn't have any authority to report to the Head of HR or a senior person.

So, take the challenge but don't strain your health. Be cool and work; you will succeed.

Regards,
John N

Dear Sushma, I have read your post and understood your situation as well as that HR lady's situation. At this point in time, I would like to share a small story that will provide answers to all your questions. Here it is:

Hi Sushma,

It's really shocking. Just take a look at Ishita's story and ask that HR manager to have patience. Once she is able to create her own environment.

My regards to her.

Thanks,
Shahjahan

Hi Sushma,

It is really sad to learn about the treatment the Head HR is getting, and believe me, it is very painful to learn. Quitting is not an answer. She has to take motivation from Ishita's story. As suggested by Anuradha, you can join us during our proposed meet in Delhi.

I am the Regional Head for an HR company, and you can get in touch with me at rajeshkumar10@gmail.com.

Cheers! Rajesh Kumar.

Hi Sushma,

The environment in an organization is set by the Boss/Bosses/Management. If an organization is as bad as you are saying, then I have my doubts if a martyr can do anything to such an organization. I have endured a similar work environment. Your friend is a 'misfit' in such an organization. Working in such organizations for any period over 1 or 2 years can completely ruin your confidence, self-esteem, and enthusiasm. At the end of it, you would start doubting your own capabilities. It would take double the amount of time to get back to your normal self.

My Conclusion -
GET OUT OF SUCH ORGANIZATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DON'T BECOME A MARTYR FOR NO CAUSE.
YOU CAN'T CHANGE AN ORGANIZATION FROM THE BOTTOM UP, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE THE SOLE SANE PERSON OUT THERE.

So please stay away. Challenges are okay until the time they don't end up making you emotionally 'challenged'.

All the Best,
Riyaz

Hi Sushma,

This is a very interesting topic of discussion that you have put forward. I must say that the girl who is working in that organization currently must be having a difficult time. I would just like to add that every HR Department in every organization faces this kind of problem, although the magnitude and criticality of the problem may be different with different organizations.

As Mr. Kriyaz has rightly pointed out, it all depends on the management as to how they react to the situation. If they do not take any initiative to bring about a change in the attitude of such employees, then you have to understand that they want an HR for their organization who will be there just as a "showpiece," who will not try to bring about any kind of change but will just be there to take all kinds of complaints from the employees and find out some way to evade such problems. They don't want an HR who will get into a confrontation with the senior employees and try to bring in some positive change in the organization. If you think you fit the bill, only then think about joining the company.

I hope my post answers your query.

Thanks and Regards,

Indrani Chakraborty

Note: Kriyaz, it was a wonderful post, you almost said whatever I wanted to say, and hence I spent some time looking for what more to add :)

Dear Ishita,

None other than this story could have been the expression of accepting the challenges. Commendable....

It's very true that if your life is at risk, you gain prodigious power that keeps you unwavering to bounce back.

Regards,
Pankaj Sharma

Dear Sushma,

It is true that your skills will be sharpened while working with such an organization, but it is needless to say that you will always have inordinate stress or hyper stress on your head. You will be satisfied with your performance but totally dissatisfied with rewards and recognition in return. It is proven that excessive stress is pernicious to health and may lead to other health-related troubles.

Regards,
Pankaj Sharma

Sushma,

It's really a challenge, but not that big. We all know very well that "resistance to change is human nature." When you are bringing about changes, whether they are good or bad, people will take some time to accept them. This could be her case. Please don't make predictions before observing the situation firsthand. Frankly speaking, I would not advise you to believe her words. If you are selected, join the organization and embrace this challenge. It may be that other departmental staff do not like her policies and practices; the reasons could be different, and I cannot speculate as I am not close to the situation.

If you are selected, do not think that your mobile will be stolen on the first day or that your car will be punctured, or anything of that sort. They may treat you fairly. Stay positive and join the company. I hope your experience will be different from hers.

Why did she tell you these things? I cannot understand this. By saying these things, it is possible that she does not want another person to be hired in the HR department. If she shared these words with you, it implies she is portraying the human resource department of the company as corrupt and political. As an employee, she should not be doing that.

JOIN THE COMPANY AND SEE IF SHE IS RIGHT?

Thanks,

Dev

Hi Dev

Even I think the same way as you are advising me but tell me one thing if she doesn't want to hire me why she called me to come for an interview?? She and I don't know anything about each other.

I know she is not supposed to say what she told me but according to her “ I am telling you all this so that later you can't blame me that I didn't tell you anything about the situations”.

At the time of interview the MD of the company was clarify the situation to her by saying the word TAKE IT AS A CHALLENGE.

At the time of my interview she told me the same thing but in detail.

I was selected she was satisfied with my experience and qualifications and she told me that anytime when I want to take this challenge I can join.

The policies & procedures made by her were excellent like Birthday Celebration, Grievance Committee & Organization quiz etc. and she have done all this in just two months. What more she could do??

I know I should not believe on her each and every words but I can't ignore her also.

Regards

Sushma

Hi,

The scenario you have described is shocking but true in some places. I believe that such places mainly consist of people who are resistant to change because they have become very comfortable in their current situation. Therefore, one must attempt to introduce changes in a smooth manner that does not disrupt their comfort zone too drastically. Gradually, as people begin to recognize the benefits, they may be more open to change. If they do not, it may be best to move forward in life, as not everyone sees the same perspective as we do. Many traditional companies follow this type of working environment, and believe me, they are not fond of changes. It's quite peculiar that if her husband is the Vice President of HR, he could easily assist her in finding a new job, especially given her strong background.

Alternatively, looking at the situation from a different perspective, it is possible that she posed those questions to you as a test of your ability to handle challenging or unusual situations.

Amitav K.