Look, I know almost everyone out there dislikes the HR Department. We have a bad rap.
All we have to do is watch the popular TV series “The Office”, the quintessential parody of corporate and office life, to notice that HR characters are held in low regard. They are lampooned as all-about-policies and red-tape, as nuisance party poopers. They’re avoided as if they’re cops. And they can’t even take a dirty joke –not without turning it into a lesson about sexual harassment.
I get it. And in real life, sure, there are some of those types. But in my decades in this field, I’ve also known another, different reality. My peers are mostly highly skilled HR pros with degrees and accreditations (yes, we prepare and sit for an hours-long exam like CPAs do, an achievement that must be maintained current with CEU’s, just like other professionals).
Successful HR pros are a synergetic mix of lawyer, diplomat, therapist, social worker, cheerleader, coach and referee. With the empathy and emotional intelligence of Counselor Troi in Star Trek sprinkled on top. HR pros are honest beyond reproach, and represent the conscience and culture of the company. That’s the ideal, and I’ve seen it.
I say all this to ask readers to take a moment during these times of Covid-19 to appreciate the HR person in your company, whether they live up to my above ideal or not.
Chances are they are not only trying to shepherd employees through this unknown territory of uncertainty and how to work remotely, they are doing so while learning it for themselves.
They are expected to soothe employee’s worries and fears as they are dealing with their own. To project optimism even when the outlook is grim.
As they try to help others deal with kids’ issues, with spouses and elderly parents, plus juggling schedules, they too have to worry about their own family’s health.
As they help others plan around their financial uncertainty they know their own jobs might also be on the line.
So, next time you see your HR person, remember they too are just an employee, one more worker in the company. You might ask them “How are you doing with all this disruption in our lives?” Don’t be surprised, if they’re surprised you asked.
©Copyright Eva Del Rio Send questions to Eva@evadelrio.com
