The secret is out now; HR is hated more than ever, according to this article in Fast Company.
The author argues that “
After close to 20 years of hopeful rhetoric about becoming “strategic partners” with a “seat at the table” where the business decisions that matter are made, most human-resources professionals aren’t nearly there.”
Some of the proof offered by the author?
Companies are outsourcing more and more HR stuff; and HR people are not suited to sit at the strategic table.
The author of the article offers some reasons for the problems with HR:
HR people aren’t the sharpest tacks in the box;
HR pursues efficiency in lieu of value;
HR isn’t working for you;
The corner office doesn’t get HR (and vice versa).
I don’t completely agree with this article. Although it makes some good points, I would argue that:
1. HR is forced to act in certain ways, because of the goals and objectives established by companies.
2. Many companies don’t want to give HR the opportunities to think strategically. I truly believe it is a mix of factors that constrain HR.
Read the whole article here; it is definitely interesting and entertaining to read!
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Yes - I am and in my post today I didn’t link to it in protest. I am sick of all the bad press and defending the profession. There is a lot of debate going on but I have posted my points of view on things from the beginning on my blog…so I am going dark on this topic from now on…
Hmmm…I wonder how Mr. Hammond would do as a Chief People Officer?
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This is an important article. I saw it last night and flagged it for posting this week. So thanks, Michael, for getting it out there more promptly.
Although I’m not in HR, I may take a stab at defending HR in response to some of the cheap shots that are in this article.
I could start by talking about the intelligence of people that choose business school (whom I never thought the “sharpest tacks”) . . . or the jargon-laden BS that often passes for scholarship there. But we’re not out to insult folks, and, after all, Michael teaches business students ;-)
One thing’s for sure: this is a dysfunctional family!
We ought to monitor the blogosphere for the buzz from others, as I’m sure plenty of people will be ticked off by this one . . .