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Why work in the people profession?

Steve Bridger

What motivated you to work in the HR profession?

Was it working with people? Opportunities to progress? Flexibility? No two days are the same... and so on.

It would be great to get some real life perspectives from community members.

We've looked at variations on this theme before, e.g. 

www.cipd.co.uk/.../best-achievement-in-hr-best-thing-you-have-implemented

www.cipd.co.uk/.../working-in-hr-if-you-could-start-again-would-you

...but not quite the question I'm asking now.

Parents
  • For me, it was because my mum and brother were both being treated very badly by their (very big) employers. I did my Level 3 at college in the evening to get started in HR so I could help ensure people know their rights as an employee and are treated fairly.
    Now I work in HR, I love the variety of things you can get involved in and how much there is to learn
  • in reply to Emily

    But there lies the dichotomy, Emily.

    There is nothing wrong in ensuring fairness and acting as the employees' advocate, but that in my view is not the role of HR (employee advocate that is) - that's for Trades Unions and employment lawyers (and ultimately Employment Tribunals). HR's role is act as the employers' advocate.

    I came in to HR from an operational role with the intent of using the experience to make me a better operational manager, eventually returning to operations. The fact I stayed (that was 30 years ago!) is either a love of HR (and in particular people development) or I was useless at operations. I'll let others decide!

    Why do I love it? Because I genuinely believe that HR lies at the very epicentre of any organisation that employs people - the change agent that touches every element of an organisation's make-up. It's hard work to achieve HR being seen as such, but it pays dividends when it is.

  • in reply to Robert James Munro
    Ah, I would have agreed with that at one time Robert, but not in today's world to be honest. I don't think that the new professional standards reflect the idea that a HR Professional is the employer's advocate anymore. I think that our role is to provide professional advice and guidance to the employer, but not necessarily to be their advocate if they are determined to treat people unfairly.

    I was also someone who fell into HR. I enjoy it if I am working for an employer who values their employees and wants to develop and support them. If they are willing to let me include some work on social mobility and helping support young and disadvantaged people into employment, then I love it. its the idea of making a positive difference to both the organisation and the people in it that makes me stay in HR for now

    However, I say for now as the other big thing for me is that HR pays well. Within the next 7 -8 years, I will start to be able to draw some of my pensions. I will then probably look to leave the HR profession and do something part time or casual that is more about helping people.

    I do however really like the new approach from the CIPD to HR professionals being more about supporting employees to be happy and healthy at work and I think this is a really good move
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  • in reply to Robert James Munro
    Ah, I would have agreed with that at one time Robert, but not in today's world to be honest. I don't think that the new professional standards reflect the idea that a HR Professional is the employer's advocate anymore. I think that our role is to provide professional advice and guidance to the employer, but not necessarily to be their advocate if they are determined to treat people unfairly.

    I was also someone who fell into HR. I enjoy it if I am working for an employer who values their employees and wants to develop and support them. If they are willing to let me include some work on social mobility and helping support young and disadvantaged people into employment, then I love it. its the idea of making a positive difference to both the organisation and the people in it that makes me stay in HR for now

    However, I say for now as the other big thing for me is that HR pays well. Within the next 7 -8 years, I will start to be able to draw some of my pensions. I will then probably look to leave the HR profession and do something part time or casual that is more about helping people.

    I do however really like the new approach from the CIPD to HR professionals being more about supporting employees to be happy and healthy at work and I think this is a really good move
Children
  • in reply to Teresa
    A good employer's advocate would advise fairness :)
  • in reply to Teresa
    Ah, Ha! The old "employer advocate" discussion!

    First define "Employer".

    It's the Company; NOT the people who run it (even if wholly owned by them)

    We are paid by the Company, not by its MD, or FD, but by the entity that stands apart (in law) from them.

    We are paid (and thus obligated) to provide legally sound advice supporting the Company's success and best interests. So even if the whole Board want to do something illegal and outrageous, like dismissing all disabled employees..... WE say "No". Because regardless of their status, they are acting against the company's interests (and their fiduciary duties, but for details of which check on-line... Too complex to list here).

    So we are neither the advocates of employees, or representatives of the will of the SMT (even if part of it); we are the Company's guides and advisers, and when necessary defenders. We do not manage it's people; we manage HOW those people are managed (Yes, folks, we boss the bosses!... on that issue at least).

    So we do defend employees and their rights, but only collaterally because doing that ensures that the Company (our employer) does not end up with egg on its face in front of the court of public opinion (after its SMT have ended up with egg on theirs in front of a more regulated Court or Tribunal).

    So, sad to say, but we really are the knights in shining armour; the good-guys in the white hats; and all the other clichés. We defend our employer ("the Company") against all who would do it harm; be they less than diligent employees taking unauthorised time off, or the MD sexually harassing the new receptionist... We take on the tasks that everyone else fears to face (like telling that 6'3" guy in engineering, who does marshal-arts for a hobby, that he has B.O.) but at the same time we stand with the law at our shoulder when facing that MD about his making passes at the receptionist. We walk a tightrope and at times it's terrifying, and easy to turn away from, but at other times its the best (and arguably most influential) job in the world.

    It's what we do.

    P