People think HR is...

Half serious, and half tongue-in-cheek - what attitudes, misunderstandings, stereotypes and so on have you come across regarding the HR profession? I know there are some funny ideas out there as well as more serious misunderstandings. Does your family really understand what you do? Friends? Career guidance? 

For me

My partner is an ex print-union rep, and as far as he is concerned employers and HR are evildoer exploiters, if allowed to get away with anything :-) We do have some interesting discussions in our house.

When I decided to career change to HR I was told by a relative 'ooh no, all they do is sack people all the time, it's for horrible people.'

As an HR Business Partner, people sometimes think I'm a part owner of the business.

That accusatory 'HR work for the business, not the employees.' Well, yes, same as IT, marketing, sales, production, facilities and so on, so why are they surprised by that?

Parents
  • Some people seem to think that HR equals mean, incompetent people who can't be trusted and are always looking to "harm" you.

    Others think you are their personal counselor/psychologist and only there to help them with their problems.

    And managers think that you can magically resolve all their workforce problems so that they don't have to deal with it themselves.
Reply
  • Some people seem to think that HR equals mean, incompetent people who can't be trusted and are always looking to "harm" you.

    Others think you are their personal counselor/psychologist and only there to help them with their problems.

    And managers think that you can magically resolve all their workforce problems so that they don't have to deal with it themselves.
Children
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