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Original poster

HR departments see employees as the enemy

260 replies

Donke · 19/02/2024 12:46

I have worked in several public sector orgs (NHS, civil service etc) and their ability to stonewall and gaslight is unbelievable. Why are they so convinced that they can do no wrong and that employees are stupid/dishonest/incompetent?

I am currently fighting with HR over my T&Cs, which should follow a locally agreed protocol. They are refusing to accept that it exists or that they have the skills to use it which makes no sense because every other trust in the region uses it. They will not open their minds to an outside pov. I have had similar before where they insisted on refusing to pay me sick pay. Why??

OP posts:
Goldwork · 19/02/2024 13:20

I have worked in house as a lawyer for nearly 20 years and I think this has got worse (from an employees POV). I have worked with some fantastic HR professionals and don't recognise an issue with them being incompetent but they absolutely are there to protect the company.

I would say 10 years ago they saw themselves more as trying to balance employee well being with company protection.

ChanelNo19EDT · 19/02/2024 13:15

Yupp. You're a unit of labour. That's it.

NotQuiteNorma · 19/02/2024 13:12

This is nothing new. HR are there for the interests of the employer.

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 19/02/2024 13:10

We are not all bad 😟 however as an hr professional I have dealt with some really bad HR that have no clue about employment law or common sense. I also deal with cases that go to employment tribunal so can see how bad management/poor decision can end up. Yes I have to work to protect the Business but if the employee is right then it’s about how to rectify it, support them going forward.

could you call ACAS for some advice on your situation?

Shivermetimbers0112 · 19/02/2024 13:00

Itscatsallthewaydown · 19/02/2024 12:50

HR doesn’t attract the brightest and the best, as anyone who has dealt with them can appreciate

I was HRD at a number of large Universities. BA and MA plus a number of professional qualifications. Achieved a lot. Bright enough for you? What’s your special status by the way?

Justifiedcheese · 19/02/2024 12:57

My experience is the opposite. No support whatever to a manager ( not me) trying to get rid of a really, really poor performer - we are talking years of dreadful standards).

Bruisername · 19/02/2024 12:56

HR are representing the employer and that should never be forgotten when dealing with them.

Trisolaris · 19/02/2024 12:53

YABU to write off all HR because of your experience in one particular sector.

I work in HR and My colleagues and I absolutely do not see employees as the enemy.

However, equally many friends and family often end up asking me for advice in dealing with terrible HR (particularly public sector) so I’m not going to disagree that there are a lot out there.

In my experience if the culture is terrible so is the HR. Any good HR people tend to leave these cultures because they can’t get any employee positive initiatives through and it’s demoralising. It ends up being a self-perpetuating cycle for that reason.

Itscatsallthewaydown · 19/02/2024 12:50

HR doesn’t attract the brightest and the best, as anyone who has dealt with them can appreciate

DollyDoyle · 19/02/2024 12:48

You are spot on. More than once, I have had to explain the law to an HR department!