Transition to HR from Finance

Hi,
From my personal experience, I think it depends what sort of business you work in, as others have said. I worked in 1 business where the HR Director was keen for the HR team to be more remote. HR was in a separate building, unlike the rest of the business units, so they were physically remote. (I know HR tend to work in separate offices, but this was an entirely different building that was as far away as possible to the workforce). And it was frowned upon to use the canteen etc. However, that was just one experience. I have worked in other businesses where HR were very much encouraged to be involved with the more social side of work, for example, attending volunteer days etc.

There really can be fun organisations to work in, there are a lot out there to suit your needs. It is also a personal preference and can come down to being what you make it. For example, I personally tend to socialise away from fellow employees now that I work in HR. I think I would feel a little uncomfortable to sit in on a disciplinary, grievance or redundancy meeting when it's someone that you are more sociable with, or know that their role may be at risk. I therefore keep a professional distance but do attend the social functions that are put on by the business, with boundaries. I liken it to being friendly but not friends.

I have never found it isolating. I do keep a professional distance, but believe that it the same for other roles and not just HR. When you socialise, you will also need to be aware of the needs of others. For example, without sounding harsh, sometimes, when you move to HR, there will be some people that suddenly think you are the police. So it's also about taking other people's needs into account too.

I do believe there are organisations out there that will suit your needs and wishes. Good luck!

'Friendly but not friends' is an excellent description! Pretty much exactly what I aim for myself. I have seen a few HR professionals come unstuck with difficult work issues when they have developed too close a friendship with a non-HR colleague. That said, I have always been keen to compartmentalise 'work and pleasure' (to coin a rather old-fashioned phrase!) as a personal preference anyway. For example, I tend to embrace a commute, in the before times, at least, because I like the separation of my own life from my work life. But I'm also fortunate to have several circles of close friends and an active social and family life, which I appreciate is not the case for everyone and many will gravitate towards bonding with colleagues as a result. So it's different for everyone, but I'd counsel caution as to the potential 'risks' of getting too close. Finding an organisation with a friendly HR team is a good place to start, as friendships within the department are often less complicated than those between HR and non-HR colleagues. Goodness, that doesn't sound particularly positive! I hope it makes sense!

I'd also agree with Elizabeth that HR are neither fluffy 'people people' nor 'the police' and anyone who assumes either of those things are true will soon find they are not!

'Friendly but not friends' is an excellent description! Pretty much exactly what I aim for myself. I have seen a few HR professionals come unstuck with difficult work issues when they have developed too close a friendship with a non-HR colleague. That said, I have always been keen to compartmentalise 'work and pleasure' (to coin a rather old-fashioned phrase!) as a personal preference anyway. For example, I tend to embrace a commute, in the before times, at least, because I like the separation of my own life from my work life. But I'm also fortunate to have several circles of close friends and an active social and family life, which I appreciate is not the case for everyone and many will gravitate towards bonding with colleagues as a result. So it's different for everyone, but I'd counsel caution as to the potential 'risks' of getting too close. Finding an organisation with a friendly HR team is a good place to start, as friendships within the department are often less complicated than those between HR and non-HR colleagues. Goodness, that doesn't sound particularly positive! I hope it makes sense!

I'd also agree with Elizabeth that HR are neither fluffy 'people people' nor 'the police' and anyone who assumes either of those things are true will soon find they are not!