One thing I have learned from working in the HR arena is that Human Resources professionals are most definitely not a protected class. The HRism bias is alive and well. This is not another cynical rant that we don’t have a seat at the table or a lament that employees don’t understand what we do. This vital work is often a thankless job caught in the no-man’s-land between management thinking and employee’s thinking. There is no Society for Prevention of Cruelty to HR. SHRM probably comes closest, but it does little to close the shutters on the bright light of HR arrogance that can creep into reactive HRthink or prescribe lessons on preparing an honest brand for HR as a function. There are signs that the overall image of HR is improving, but why are so many still dismissive of HR? The answer is that Human Resources will be perceived as we paint it… no more and no less.
There is a two pronged attack for combating HRism: One is to stop doing things that reinforce negativity and the other is to proactively substitute a positive image. Looking at individual targets within this realm gives an idea about the nature of the problem and how to combat it.
- Starting with the basics, fighting HRism begins with defining some value added proposition that casts the HR function as a useful part of the business. It goes without saying that if there is no value to company management or rank-and-file employees, there is no real need for it to exist. Going through the motions of policing policies and shuffling paperwork does not require an HR professional or people management expertise.
- Human Resources exists in any company by the appointment and permission of the top box on the org chart. HRism from the top begins when that charter is not clearly defined or is ignored. Professionals must negotiate a workable mission statement and define the role so that there is no misunderstanding when actions are implemented or recommended. A disconnect with the top means there is no possible influence on direction.
- HRism from within the company happens when expectations are not clearly expressed to employees. If they do not see the value in HR they will form a negative image and it snowballs from there. Chapters from Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People†calls for beginning a conversation talking in terms of the other person’s interest. Meeting the personal and professional expectations of the employees means listening before speaking.
- Being a target for HRism means there has possibly been some breach in ethics or perceived lack of expertise in the areas of importance to the business. To demand professionalism from others means first being the epitome of professionalism. Knowing only HR related tasks is not enough. HR professionals must know and understand the business and what makes it tick.
- Making the HR organization better requires recruitment and training of junior partners and mentoring them with senior members of the department. From day one, new HR employees must be focused on maintaining excellence in their own careers, setting the example for others throughout the company, and dealing honestly with HRism. Lead by example.
- Fostering an environment of collaboration means partnering with and communicating to all elements of the company. Encouraging internal networking, tearing down walls, and preventing turf wars between elements gives HR the credibility it needs and acts as a preventive to HRism. In order for HR to be a catalyst for engagement, management and employees alike must have goals in common or engagement is only a buzzword.
As with all areas of discrimination in the workplace, sometimes it stems from factual information and often it is the result of miscommunication, misinformation, or just plain malice on the part of somebody that feels slighted. In order to tackle HRism, it means knowing that the perception of a problem in such an important area is itself a problem. If there is a real and not imagined problem fix it. If not, fix the perception. Either way requires ambassadors for the cause that believe in their calling and possess a boatload of self confidence.
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