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Should HR be allowed an opinion...!?

Emma

Hi All,

As a bit of background, I've been working in HR for over 10 years.  My current role is stand alone, with responsibility for c.50 employee in UK.  This my first "manager" position, also my first time working with Americans - We have an American parent company.  My manager, and all of the C level are American and based in USA.

I'm really struggling with this role (been here 2 years) as I feel like I'm constantly battling the US senior team on UK employment laws.  To be fair my boss is great, and he gets it - but I feel like the rest of the US team don't take me seriously.  I have a good relationships with the UK managers - but ultimately they are not allowed to make their own decisions.  Also, feedback I have had recently via my boss is that the US c level believe I'm too much "team employee" rather than "team company".

UK managers aren't allowed to make their own decisions, we often have performance and disciplinary processes enforced on us by the US.  I do try to outline the risks of certain actions objectively on a case by case basis, but ultimately I if I'm honest disagree with 70% of the decisions.  Am I supposed to just keep quiet, or should I be challenging more?

I enjoy my role here - and don't want to quit (I would feel like I've surrendered!).  I guess what I'm looking for in this post is an answer to the question - am I just being naïve and is HR solely supposed to be team company - no questions asked...…….?

Parents
  • Here is an idea that may kill two birds with one stone.
    How about arranging cultural awareness (US) training for the whole of the UK lead team
    Adapting to US ways of working ( and communicating/ presenting proposals) could be half the battle in building confidence to the point where authority is delegated to you and your UK lead team.
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  • Here is an idea that may kill two birds with one stone.
    How about arranging cultural awareness (US) training for the whole of the UK lead team
    Adapting to US ways of working ( and communicating/ presenting proposals) could be half the battle in building confidence to the point where authority is delegated to you and your UK lead team.
Children
  • in reply to Kevin Elvidge
    Working for foreign companies is always a challenge because their cultures are different as well as their employment laws.
    European companies are just as much of a struggle as American ones but for different reasons.

    People looking down on HR as just an admin function is however not a culture specific problem, It is about gaining respect where possible and leaving where not.