Human Resources – it’s called that for a reason

HR often gets a bad rap when it comes to managers making business decisions that affect people because those managers want to implement their decisions today, right now without the “hassle” that HR is making them go through.

The fact of the matter is that you employ humans, not robots and it’s a matter of respect and courtesy to treat people how you would want to be treated in the same circumstances.  Actually, scrub that; treat them how they want to be treated in this circumstance.

When you make decisions that affect your team’s mental health, self-esteem, career and financial livelihood.  Show them respect.

If they go low, you go high. Often when employees feel threatened they put up a fight – it’s in our nature. You don’t always have to draw a battle line and fight back.

Plan your communications with staff.  Listen to their points and seek to answer them in a calm, rationale way. Sometimes an employee just needs to be heard and for a more detailed explanation to be provided to understand what is going on. Misunderstandings lead to disputes.

If you don’t know what to say and when the right time is to say something, find out. Plan your difficult conversations. Ask HR for guidance. We’re on the same team.