Jessica Lee at HRExaminer is ruminating over old press and open wounds.
I mentioned the Why We Hate HR article to Fast Company founder Bill Taylor after his presentation at Staffing Management Conference. He remarked something like “Won’t you people get over it?”
Like many others in the profession, I have given some thoughts to the truth in the article. It seems to me one important part was missing. The CEO hired, compensated and gave guidance to the CHRO. Therefore, why we hate HR is because the role HR plays in an organization is a direct reflection of the CEO’s values and beliefs. The CEO gets exactly the competencies, initiatives and results they want and expect.
Case in point. A former CEO of an organization we work with had a bad experience with assessments earlier in his career. When he got to a position of power, he forbade the use of assessments and pre-employment tests. That mandate continued for many years. After his retirement, an initiative warranted the value pre-employment testing might offer. The organization dipped its toe back into the world of assessment.
The initiative was described as the highest return on investment project in the company that year.   Those involved were amazed at the immedaite value objective decision support provided to the recruiting team. The line managers in operations had never experienced a group of new hires with such excellent qualifications and ready to get-to-work capabilities. The team achieved thier pro forma objectives three months ahead of schedule. Operations LOVES HR.
 If HR has a bad rap in your firm, look to the CEO. Then, compare the caiber of the CHRO to your CMO, CSO, CFO, CIO. If there seems to be a disparity, look to the CEO. The CEO sets the performance bar for HR. She or he has exactly the caliber of HR professional they want.
