Most people often have a skewed perception of what Human Resources is or what they do, either
from TV shows, movies, or former employees who were let go. These falsities not only make
their jobs harder, but hurt the organization as a whole. Let’s explore three common
misconceptions and discover the truth behind HR’s role in organizations.
Myth 1: HR exists to make employees jobs harder
Unfortunately, many people think HR’s only task is to burden them with administrative tasks and
other unnecessary work, which is the farthest from the truth. Just because HR is in the room does
not mean that someone is about to be fired or they are going to put someone under performance
review; that’s just one unfortunate component of their job. HR is very multi-faceted in its duties
and tasks, but many times people only remember the negative interactions instead of all the good
that they do too. For instance, HR is usually the one to take initiatives forward for DEAI to help
instill a culture of inclusivity in an organization. They also do things like make sure employees
know about mental health resources available to them, work with insurance providers to make
sure you’re taken care of , just to name a few. It is people that make up a Human Resources
Department, not rule-oriented, paperwork-junky robots who exist only to make your job harder.
Myth 2: HR always takes the side of the company over the employees
I can speak from experience, coming into Quatrro as a new intern with predisposed notions of
what HR is, and the reality I found was very different from my expectations. I saw and heard
them talk about employee welfare all the time and often take the time to ask questions to get to
know them better, so they could better advocate for the employees in the future. There were so
many more decisions and debates that go through Human Resources than I ever realized, and I
can vouch from experience sitting in on calls during my internship with them that they don’t
make a single decision without thinking of how it would affect an employee, their family, and
their future. If Quatrro’s HR team thinks a new policy or insurance plan is not the best version it
can be to benefit its employees, they will go back to the drawing board until they feel they did
everything they can to make it the best option possible for their employees. People think HR
chooses the company over employees, but employees are the company; it’s not one or the other,
they are synonymous.
Myth 3: HR plays a small role in the overall functioning of a company, they just enforce
rules and fire people
Again, this is simply not true. HR might have been a small component of companies many years
ago, but today they are the silent superheroes of the business world. They used to be thought of
as merely a personnel department, but today they have a proper seat at the table for strategic
conversations when it comes to growing and advancing companies. HR hires new talent that fits
company culture, creates programs that make everyone feel included and engaged, negotiates the
best insurance plan options so families can have great healthcare, and so much more. Although
HR is usually a smaller department within a company, they help orchestrate so many moving
parts that keep a company moving swiftly and without disruption – and most times employees
don’t even realize how HR played a part.
Addressing the Myths
ENow that we have talked about some of the common misconceptions around Human Resources
and what role they play in companies, let’s dive into some ideas on how HR teams can address
these common problems:
Get to know employees
the more an HR team knows about the company employees,
the better they can advocate for them and the more efficient they will be executing some
of their regular tasks because they know specifically who they are doing it for.
Be proactive
HR isn’t a department that can just wait until a problem arises, by then it’s
already too late. Staying focused on being proactive will keep things moving smoothly,
both from an employee standpoint as well as a company standpoint.
Always ask questions
Always focus on staying informed. Whether it’s about current
labor laws or how an employee’s weekend went, the better informed an HR team is the
better prepared they are to do their job effectively.
If you’re not excited, they’re not excited
Of course, not every policy, training, or
presentation is going to be thrilling and have employees on the edge of their seats, but, if
You’re bored so are they. Instill fun and make things engaging wherever you can to make
employee interactions with HR positive experiences, too.
Don’t become a professional robot
Even though a part of HR’s job is making and
following rules, don’t forget to be empathetic and understanding of everyone’s situation.
Human Resources has the word human in it for a reason.
Adjust with the times
Things are constantly changing in the world, just because one
strategy used to work brilliantly at one point in time with employees doesn’t mean it will
work today. Stay attuned to when you need to adjust and adapt with your employees.
Connect with department leaders
As a department that is able to see the
organizational bigger picture, the better connected you are with other department leaders,
the better informed you will be and able to work with all area leaders as allies.
Additionally, when those leaders then talk with their employees about their positive
interactions with HR, that will help to further breaking down the HR stereotypes across
the organization.
In conclusion, it is crucial to dispel the common misconceptions surrounding Human Resources
and understand the vital role they play within organizations. HR professionals are not here to
make employees’ lives harder or prioritize the company’s interests over the employees’. They are
multi-faceted individuals who work tirelessly to ensure fairness, advocate for employees, and
contribute to the overall success of the company. HR is integral in creating a positive work
environment, furthering initiatives for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion, and
providing essential support for employees and their families. By debunking and positively
addressing these misconceptions, we can appreciate the value HR brings to organizations and
foster better relationships between employees and HR teams. This is how organizations can
collectively create a more informed and supportive work environment for all.
Megan Flasch is a college student studying Marketing who completed an HR/marketing internship with Quatrro in the summer of 2023. She was thrilled to contribute this content as a result of her experiences at Quatrro coupled with research that she completed as part of her internship projects.
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