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Things you want to say to employees but can't because you're professional...

Robey

Partly as a bit of fun, but mostly as an opportunity to vent...

Employee: "So what's my motivation for getting up at 5am to be on site for 7am?"

What I wanted to say: "Keeping your f-ing job? The fact that we pay you a salary far in excess of what your meagre skillset, dubious intelligence and questionable competence deserves?"

What I actually said: "Your professional pride in the delivery of an excellent service that our clients appreciate."

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  • I would love a pound for everytime I've heard of someone saying "I'll take this to HR"

    HR doesn't exist to represent you, it exists to represent the Company!

    (Professional or otherwise, I've actually said it on many occasions)
  • in reply to Robert James Munro
    "Personally I think everything you say is right but my job (which on balance I'd like to keep) is where necessary to try to defend the indefensible and therefore I'm going to try my best to dispute it with you."
    "I just hope you are perceptive enough to understand this and don't despise me personally for what I'm going to do."
  • in reply to David
    Not quite, David.

    I'm not sure I've ever been guilty of defending the indefensible. My point is the misconception that employees see HR as their advocate in defending them against the Company - even if the actions taken by the Company are fair, equitable, and lawful.
  • in reply to Robert James Munro
    Sorry, Robert, I was responding more to the general question rather than your specific point.

    But if you've never had to try and defend that which was indefensible, think you've been very blessed!
  • in reply to David
    Yes, David. This. So much this.
  • in reply to Robert James Munro

    Most of the comments on this thread so far refer to perceptions of 'performance'. In these cases, HR would not obstruct what managers feel is in the best interests of their teams or the business as a whole. But we know from these forums that sometimes those who work in HR are put in questionable (i.e. unethical) situations. That's when decisions need to be made.

  • in reply to Robert James Munro
    Quite to the contrary in my organization. HR is seen as the disciplinary force. If you are summoned to HR Employees usually panic. It's like they're about to be punished.
  • in reply to Kellorna D.L

    That's a very negative and self-defeating view for the organisation (and its employees) to have, Kellorna, although it is where the old "personnel" function often used to lie.

    ....and workplace discipline is not there (or indeed permitted) to "punish". The objective of disciplinary procedures is to correct wilfully wayward behaviour. We can do this only by offering warnings that if the behaviour is not rectified then employment will be terminated, and eventually (if not) then "fairly" considering the contract breached by the employee, permitting their dismissal.

    Unless agreed contractually as a separate (civil) issue, there is nothing in statute that permits us to "punish" employees through impositions of fines, limitations of statutory rights or freedoms, diminution of status, or other "painful" outcomes, or the causing of any detriment beyond those inherent and coincidental with their (ultimate) loss of employment; for instance the ability to pay the rent or buy the new car they wanted.

    HR is most certainly not the company's "enforcer" and has no "big stick" to bash employees (including other managers) with!

  • in reply to Kellorna D.L
    Hi Kellorna,

    Does HR = Headmaster’s Room... :)
  • in reply to Peter
    I encountered this before in a job interview where there seemed to be an expectation that a large part of HR's job was to do "the difficult conversations" in lieu of managers. I was quite explicit that I considered this to be part of a manager's duties and, although I'd support and advise them, the task of having the actual conversation wasn't something I thought a good manager could or should delegate.

    Didn't get the job!
  • in reply to Robey
    Seems similar to a time where I was asked in an interview how I liked dealing with confrontation. I answered that 'nobody enjoys confrontation but here's how I handle it....' and got pulled up afterwards because apparently I should have been more eager for it! I got the role and it was a very confrontational position initially because it was expected that HR had those difficult conversations. I did change the culture but it took a while!
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  • in reply to Robey
    Seems similar to a time where I was asked in an interview how I liked dealing with confrontation. I answered that 'nobody enjoys confrontation but here's how I handle it....' and got pulled up afterwards because apparently I should have been more eager for it! I got the role and it was a very confrontational position initially because it was expected that HR had those difficult conversations. I did change the culture but it took a while!
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