One of the things I am struggling with is the disconnect of what I am learning I should be to my company through my CIPD Level 5 studies, and what my company want me to be for them.

They are a small company and the Directors want full control. Ethical decision making? Absolutely not. Do they want my input? No, they don't want to be called out. So for example, they ignore their own handbook where it suits, they promote people who's faces fit and to hell with the repercussions. They try to exit people often from the business if they don't fit the culture. They will not hire anyone older because it is a 'young business'.

I don't really believe there's a strategy for me to hang a HR strategy on if I'm being completely honest.

I'm not asked to be involved with talent planning because there is very little planning in any area and promotions are usually based on who the MD has promised them to.

Recruitment swings from no vacancies to about 18 over night depending on whether the business wins business but then often panics about the costs of those hires because there's no forecasting or budgeting ahead.

I'm lost. I don't know whether to leave or if it's like this everywhere...but it makes me miserable. I have no control. I don't see me ever being able to be involved with things I'm taught I should be. I just clear up a lot of mess.

Ah Stacey, that sounds really frustrating and demoralising and it's certainly not like that everywhere. Senior management of organisations can have a really wide ranging view of what they want and expect from their HR function: from 'tea, tissues and toilets' to being a valued and trusted partner. Some will still view it as being an admin only function or that you're there to be the HR police. It's definitely something to ask about during a recruitment process to try and gauge how they will see you.

In a lot of circumstances I would advocate for trying to talk to the leaders to understand what they're really looking for from you, trying to build relationships to open out more ethical ways of thinking and decision making, pushing for better planning... but I think on this occasion you know the answer to that. Some mess might be inevitable but if nothing changes time and time again, then it might be time to look for somewhere more circumspect where you can genuinely add value and practice what you've learned.

Thank you for your reply. I'm definitely on the look our for something that better aligns with my morals and values. I'm glad to hear things operate differently elsewhere too.

Thank you for your reply. I'm definitely on the look our for something that better aligns with my morals and values. I'm glad to hear things operate differently elsewhere too.