HR Dilemma: Should We Stand by Management or Advocate for Employees? Seeking Your Thoughts

Hello,

Can anybody please tell me whether an HR should support the management or support the employees? I am unable to justify. Please send your valuable opinions to me.

Regards,
V. Deepthi

Dear Deepthi,

HR is a bridge between employees and management. It has to fulfill the organizational goals with the available resources. Therefore, it is not fair to judge whom it has to support. HR is a neutral department and must handle situations and get things done in an unbiased manner.

Regards,
L. Kumar

HR is in between, stoop a bit either way... HR is in trouble. HR has to balance, HR has to have the quality to put forth any utmost unpleasant matter, any view, any situation either to the management or to the employees in a positive manner. It is a very difficult position, it's a HOT seat. No preferences, no partiality, no taking sides. Be where you are, try to strike a balance.

Ambika Kamath.

HR does anything to save their own head.

I hope I made it clear, a boat sails along the wind. If it sails against the wind, it will drown. The same is the case with HR.

Thanks for explaining. Another small doubt I have is, if we are not happy with a senior employee, how to tackle the situation? How to tell him about his inefficiency, especially when an HR is junior to him. Please suggest me.

Regards, V. Deepthi

Hi Deepthi,

That is a very difficult situation, but it's easy to handle. Just try to be friends with that senior and discuss the issues you think should be rectified. Never let the senior feel that you are trying to counsel him. If the person is your immediate boss, do whatever the boss says, whether it's wrong or has no results. First, get into his good books and then, at times, try to talk things out. For example, present your idea by saying, "I have this idea that this thing should be done this way. What do you think?" This approach will help you gain trust, and eventually, things will align with your preferences. However, this process may take some time, so remain relaxed and don't worry.

Regards,
Fahd Khan Sherani

Hi,

Is the inefficient person in the HR department? If not, how do you convey that you are a junior? Providing a few more details will help us give better advice.

Jayashree

Hi Deepthi,

Seniors are sometimes equivalent to bosses. It's better to let them be inefficient; why bother? Bothering may put you in trouble unless you have strong contacts in management. What if the senior is inefficient but has a strong management reference?

It's better to take our pay and do the work. Let the seniors go to hell. I am just advising you. In case the senior feels offended and makes life hell for you, as I don't know the exact nature of the senior you are talking about, better tell me their name.

I think there should be two groups of HRs:

1. For the Employee reference - any employee can come to them, whether it's a boss or a junior-level person, and discuss any kind of problem.

2. For the Management - they should help and guide management to create different policies for employee thinking for the benefit of the company as a goal.