By now, even if you’re remotely related to human resource management – like say your third cousin from Croatia is in the business – you’ve probably read, been shoved into or have flat-out tried to ignore Keith Hammond’s scathing cover piece in the August issue of Fast Company, “Why We Hate HR.”
Hammond’s point is that great organizations and the great people in them need confident, creative, strategic human resource departments, “joined to business strategy at the hip.”
But Hammond hasn’t come across many of those. Rather, he describes most HR departments and the people in them as “a dark bureaucratic force,” performers of “stupid HR tricks“ and “a low-risk parking spot” for “exiles from the corporate mainstream.”
Our experience of human resource departments and the passion of the people in them has been a little different.
Championed by highly creative, empathetic and business-minded HR leaders and their teams, The FISH! Philosophy has recently delivered these kinds of bottom-line results in the workplace:
• INCREASED EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: Satisfaction working within the team increased from 25% to 75% at Missouri Baptist Hospital
• INCREASED CUSTOMER LOYALTY: Six-month 30% increase in Customer Satisfaction taking the dealership from worst to the top 10% in its region at Rochester Ford Toyota
• REDUCED EMPLOYEE TURNOVER: 35% overall decline in employee attrition at Verizon
In the article, Jay Jamrog, executive director of the Human Resource Institute, says that HR is stuck.
I think it’s more than that. I think most organizations are stuck: leaders, managers, HR and employees. All are yearning for more meaningful conversations about profit and passion at work.
When we see organizations improve their cultures and company morale with the help of FISH! and reach new levels of productivity, innovation, respect and effective teamwork, it’s always a result of all stakeholders stepping up and pulling together. Sure HR can lead that initiative, but everyone needs to get some skin in the game. Everyone needs to be accountable for their personal growth and the development of the organization.
We know it intuitively: Employee Engagement = Increased Profitability. In the same article, Anthony J. Rucci, executive vice president at Cardinal Health Inc., says "I don't know if our HR processes are having an impact, but I know absolutely that employee-engagement scores have an impact on our business," accounting for between 1% and 10% of earnings.
Truth is, great organizations are about great people and their individual contributions to the cause. So whatever our role or level, instead of blaming others, maybe we should take a good look in the mirror tomorrow morning and go from there.
I cant honestly say that the entire article was all that "craptastic" because of my past experience and recent knowledge, let me explain:
During my year long trek into my Busness Degree with an Emphasis in HR, I have come across many people that DONT have a passion for what they are going into...namely HR and Management.
During discussions and online postings, its apparent that several of them have been totally clueless as too the opportunities for providing positive customer service, employee programing,and trainings.
Ive asked myself countless times:" How is that possible that they have NO CLUE? These are the people that will be in HR or Management...eeck!"
Its not unlike any other career though, you either love what you do.. or dont do it. And you learn everything you can about it your chosen career.. to improve the quality of lives that you might impact.
HR is not a career for the squeemish however. With laws changing yearly, ethical issues daily, negative banter around every corner,harrassments, hiring and firing,and trying to keep the minions happy through tough times or corporate changes is no easy task.. who WOULD like HR....welll, ME for one!
I have the utmost respect for the ones that help me with my problems, give me my reviews and raises, keep track of vacations, benefits,or have words of encouragement, maybe when no one else does...
To me, HR should be your personal advocate, the one you can go to, the one you can trust, the one that has the open door... they should'nt be feared or hated.
Unfortunately, HR HAS gotten a bad rap and a lot of companies have gotten the shaft, thus the article being written.
However, It doesnt have to be that way. Do what you love, be passionate about it... or dont do it!
Come November of 2006.. I'll be ready to start the HR Revolution...Fish! Style..!!!
Posted by: peggy | August 31, 2005 at 03:58 PM