EVIL HR LADY
DILEMMA OF THE MONTH
How Can I Get Managers to Help More ?
BY Suzanne Lucas
ILLUSTRATION : JOHN CHASE
I ’ m a human resources director for a large department in a big , people-oriented corporation . I ' ve recently taken this role , and I ’ m still building my credibility . The problem is , senior managers in this department think most people-related work should be executed by HR . As much as I agree that HR should design the systems ( like performance evaluation , recruitment , salary management , etc .) and train the managers on how to use them , it is still the manager ’ s job to carry them out : fill out job descriptions , do final interviews , evaluate performance or fire people . HR can advise and act as an expert . But how do we set this groundwork for our various responsibilities moving forward ?
You ’ re right to be a bit cautious as the new person . No one likes it when someone new waltzes in and changes everything on the spot . But you ’ re also right about boundaries : If you don ’ t set some soon , it will worsen . Here ’ s what I would do in your situation .
Talk with your boss
You ’ re new to the position , and making changes won ’ t be easy . You need your boss ’ s support . This may not be automatic , of course . If you report to line management , your boss may think you should take care of everything . If you report to HR , it ’ s more
20 comstocksmag . com | December 2021