Are you an HR fan? If yes, please let me know where you work and if no, then join our club.

This article is not about pointing fingers and blaming HR departments for the mess most companies live in, it’s about knowing for a fact that HR departments nowadays are not more than a bunch of people with bachelor degrees talking all day about employee development and cultural transformation while in fact they are the genuine reason many employees are running for their lives out of the company.

Now is the time to start what is called “The HR Revolution”.

HR is supposed to be the key driver of business performance; however, in real life this is just a theory. That is why I present here not only the problem but also its solution because let’s face it, we want to work in a place where we feel comfortable, safe and above all enjoy a transparent work environment.

Problem 1: You can’t handle the truth

HR staff always seeks to intentionally hide some facts about work, such as salary for instance. Have you ever been in an interview for a job and when told about the salary your eyes shone, only to realize after having to quit your old job that the salary you thought you will get turned out to be the average salary or the money you get during the training period only?

My point is: HRs often mislead employees, they have the info but they don’t think you deserve to know the whole truth.

Solution: Be a professional

Professionals don’t lie because lying means someone is not doing the job right. HR professionals should work with the company and make sure to eliminate any deficiencies that could force them to hide some information from employees.

Problem 2: This is for your best interest

What is it with HR and policies? Is it the power syndrome or what? Why do they enjoy forcing policies and enjoy watching employees suffer?

Solution: Openness is the key

No doubt that without rules, chaos will rule. You should, however, be reasonable when putting them. Why not hold a meeting with the entire company and discuss these rules with your employees?

Open discussions about this kind of stuff truly show how much you care. And as an HR member, you have every right to force penalties upon whoever doesn’t follow the rules, but first inform them about the broken rule and don’t catch them off guard.

One last thing regarding this issue, managers and higher-level employees are not excluded, meaning that rules apply to them as well. If you want a professional environment then act professionally.

Problem 3: Can’t keep a secret

HR officers are known for their big mouths. Gossip finds its way to the whole entity sooner or later.

Solution: Don’t kiss and tell

If an employee comes to you with a problem, take on the responsibility of being this employee’s secret guardian. If you can’t help them with the problem then don’t “kiss and tell.”

Problem 4: There are other problems too

HR employees have no clue what goes on inside the company. They won’t know if your manager is abusing you or not, or that your department hasn’t been achieving its target for months now.

While everyone in the company is trying to figure out solutions for real problems, we find HR personnel sitting in a corner probably preparing for the next time management course for a group of employees that doesn’t even have a time management problem.

Solution: Get involved

Hire an HR professional who knows a lot about your business. It is always good when employees know that someone has their backs.

HR staff with good knowledge about your business and employees will undoubtedly put this knowledge to good use.

Bottom line:

Now is the time to turn around the bad reputation that HR departments everywhere are plagued with. Like I mentioned earlier, now is the time for an “HR Revolution”.

By: Hend Salah

Photography: Mahmoud Mansi

EDITORS: Sarah Shalaby & Nada Adel Sobhi