Have you ever thought HR was going to have your back & solve all your issues? I used to think so too. When I started working, HR seemed like the people to come in & get everything fixed, make everyone feel fair, and help workers like me advance in our career. But then I started to see that HR isn’t all about glamor. They can be helpful, but they care more about the company than about the employees. It was a tough pill to swallow, but one that changed the way I approached them. Today, I will share with you 12 things HR isn’t going to tell you about your job.
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Whose Side Are They Really On?
HR may appear as your voice but their loyalty is to the company. They are primarily there to defend the company against lawsuits, boost performance & enforce policies. They’ll listen to you but they’ll do what’s best for the business, not necessarily for you. This is why it’s important to be smart when approaching HR – especially if you’re dealing with sensitive matters.
Not Everything You Say to HR Stays Private
HR might promise you that your complaint will remain confidential, but it’s not always true. From legal teams to top-level management, they will have to take it to the next level. Even when confidentiality is implied, information can be notified to supervisors or managers as part of the resolution process.
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Your Salary Isn’t Just About Your Skills
Your pay is more a reflection of how much the company can afford to pay & how much they believe you are worth to them than what you’re actually worth. HR will sometimes offer ranges of pay but will not offer more unless you ask. They may pay new employees higher than the ones they’ve had for a while if the market demands it. Do your homework & demand your fair share of compensation whenever you are applying for a job or going for an interview.
Do They Know About That Toxic Boss?
When you bring up an unhealthy colleague or manager, HR probably already knows. They might have had several complaints or witnessed the behaviors for themselves. Yet, unless the employee is damaging the company’s value or image, HR might do little to fix it.
Layoffs Are Decided Long Before You Hear About Them
These are usually decisions that are made following budgets, forecasts & performance. The employees might be told that their job is protected but employee layoffs are typically planned long before they are announced.
What’s in Your Employee File?
HR stores every bit of information about your career at the company: performance reviews, mistakes, attendance & informal conversations. It is this file that is used to decide on raises, promotions & even terminations.
Why Do We Really Have All These Trainings?
The mandatory workplace etiquette, harassment or safety training is not really for you. They’re aimed at shielding the business from lawsuits by showing that they’ve informed their workers about these subjects.
They Don’t Always Act on Complaints
HR is supposed to sort things out at work, but they’re not always going to do that. If the complaint is not a legal issue or impacts company performance, then it could be tossed under the bus or “resolved” without a proper response.
That “Open-Door Policy” Has Limits
A lot of companies have an open-door policy to allow communication, but it usually doesn’t go so far. Your concern might not be taken seriously if it concerns upper management or goes against company policies.
Can Your Job Be Replaced?
No matter how great you are at your role, HR is prepared to replace you. Your position is designed to be filled quickly if needed. HR has a talent pool & succession strategy to run the company if you aren’t there. This is not to say you are not important, but it’s a reminder to continue learning & networking outside of work.
What Really Gets You Promoted?
Hard work is not a ticket to promotion. Office politics, close connections & even the company’s budget come into play a great deal. Sometimes unqualified workers get promoted because they’re favorites of the bosses or conform to a particular vision.
Why Do They Want an Exit Interview?
When you leave a job, HR conducts exit interviews to hear your feedback, but their main goal is to protect the company. They care less about solving your concerns & more about the potential risks, such as legal matters or competitors. Be real but tactful in your responses to these interviews.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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