In the news this week, we saw Karen Huff Klein a bus monitor in Greece, NY humiliated and tortured on the job in living color courtesy of social media.
"Where was HR in this? Surely they knew this was a possibility. Why weren’t there systems in place to help Karen before. Surely the video wasn’t the first time Karen had faced issues in her workplace."
We saw the RCMP struggling with widespread corruption in the RCMP. (Yes Johnny, while it wasn’t said outright – we thought you knew sex with subordinates in your office is wrong and that a keg party at corporate headquarters after hours isn’t a good idea.)
"There were complaints. Everyone knew…there was proof, was it simply the unionized environment that prevented the issues from being addressed…or was it more."
A close friend has to deal with an executive who constantly demeans employees and throws tantrums that brings employees to tears. It’s condoned, because the leader in this case and I quote is stressed.
HR and Leadership suggested a paid vacation for the exec in question. The exec has never been written up or taken any kind of training to fix the issue.
There are a ridiculous amount of rules in business today and the burden of setting the standards, disseminating the information through the organization and then enforcing it…often rests on the weary shoulders of HR.
In the last few years alone, new legislation is in progress or has passed making employers more responsible for:
- Healthcare support
- General workplace safety and occupational health
- Employee wellness (yes it is your problem Jenny is sad)
- creating & maintaining a physically, mentally and emotionally safe workplace (bullying, protecting from domestic violence, gender discrimination, harassment etc.)
Are all these rules necessary? Unfortunately in most cases they are.
HR, I know your job is tough…but baby it’s going to get tougher!
Don’t just stand-on high and delve the ten-commandments out and expect managers to live the standard. Check in on them, use undercover corporate services, protect and support your whistle-blowers and for heaven’s sake stand-up and don’t be afraid to do what’s right. You committed to it in your HR certification, now back it up!!
Long and short, be a good babysitter and peek in on the kids once in a while and make sure they aren’t killing one another.
Easy for me to say. I learned all about HR and then opted for sales.
Less responsibility.
--HR’s masked marauder
I love this article.......thank you writer.
ReplyDeleteVery swift and to the point.
Workplace Abuse is devastating many workers and in turn entire families. For some reason the US will not move on laws.
HR is an enabling organization only there to do your paperwork when you go out on sick leave from the deadly psychotic abuse. Then they provide your walking papers when they force you out for not handling the abuse well and becoming ill...or refusing to be silent about it.
Thank you for your comment! I am glad you liked the article.
ReplyDeleteAbuse is abuse and I think it is made so much worse, when it is witnessed and condoned.
HR as an entity, isn't mean to be just transactionally focused. A strong HR department can do a lot to support the success and health of an organization. Power and respect aren't just given though - it is earned every day through the actions we choose.
Thanks for reading.
HR's masked marauder.