CEO to HR: "You are simply only here to advise me..."

Some very interesting responses here - thanks all for your input.

My initial thoughts were a mix of both - ultimately he is the CEO and he has the final say, but why employ HR experts to manage the HR functionality of the business if you aren't going to take their advice on HR matters into consideration?

The issue was (being vague here as not to share internal information readily on the internet for all to see) an issue arose which HR strongly insisted the company could not continue on the current plan of action as was a blatant breach of direct discrimination legislation and were opening ourselves right up for a tribunal claim.

I will admit that on this occasion HR were being stubborn on this (as opposed to usually, trying to influence, persuade and negotiate and then accepting if a different course of action was taken) which did increase frustration from the CEO, but this isn't typical in day to day.

See my earlier comment above.

For the CEO to deliberately embark on a course of action he knows to be illegal is a breach of his fiduciary duties and ultimately a PID issue. See:

https://www.franciswilksandjones.co.uk/site/practice_areas/claims_against_directors/directors_fiduciary_duties/

For HR to go along with it, under protest or not, is a breach of our CoC and complicity in the breach of law.

If in doubt see the outcomes of the Construction industry's "blacklisting" of certain builders a few years ago. A similar scenario.

I hope someone from CIPD's professional standards division is following this thread, as I am sure they will be able to comment further, here or privately.

P

See my earlier comment above.

For the CEO to deliberately embark on a course of action he knows to be illegal is a breach of his fiduciary duties and ultimately a PID issue. See:

https://www.franciswilksandjones.co.uk/site/practice_areas/claims_against_directors/directors_fiduciary_duties/

For HR to go along with it, under protest or not, is a breach of our CoC and complicity in the breach of law.

If in doubt see the outcomes of the Construction industry's "blacklisting" of certain builders a few years ago. A similar scenario.

I hope someone from CIPD's professional standards division is following this thread, as I am sure they will be able to comment further, here or privately.

P