Why Do Leaders Forget About HR?

Human resource departments are responsible for everything from hiring new employees to disbursing severance packages. Human resource professionals are also responsible for many key duties that help companies run more smoothly and make employees more productive. However, if you work in an HR department, you know this work is not always recognized by business leaders. In fact, it is not uncommon for leaders to forget about the HR department altogether.

There are several reasons why leaders forget HR departments when recognizing hard work. First, HR departments are not as goal-oriented as most other departments. For example, HR departments make sure the payroll is processed correctly, mitigate employee disputes and train new employees. However, these job duties are not as goal-oriented as increasing sales or landing new accounts. Other departments that meet goals have a tendency to be either recognized for good performance or reprimanded for not meeting goals. On the other hand, the human resource department functions with little reprimand or reward, so leaders do not monitor the HR department as closely as other departments.

Another reason leaders forget HR departments are a central component of a company is because human resource work involves a significant amount of employee interaction. Human resource departments deal with employees one-on-one, so management-level employees are not often involved in the daily operations of the human resource department. HR employees screen job applicants, provide information on benefits and keep employees up-to-date on training. These duties require no input from company leaders. Ultimately, the relationship between employees and human resource professionals is direct. There is rarely outside involvement from management. On the other hand, an employee in the sales department meets with management regularly and receives continuous feedback and performance reviews. HR departments tend to operate independently, so the HR management is responsible for addressing the performance of HR employees.

Leaders also tend to forget about the human resource department because the role of HR in business success is not often realized. However, when departments are merged or new technology is introduced, human resource departments are tasked with making the transition smooth and training employees. These skills are essential for keeping the business productive and increasing employee satisfaction. These tasks are largely conducted behind the scenes, so leaders fail to see the work of HR departments.

Since the work that takes place in the human resource department is specialized, it is not uncommon for leaders to take the work of HR departments for granted. Without a solid understanding of how vital the HR department is, leaders fail to understand which job duties are carried out by the HR department. Consequently, many leaders fail to recognize the importance of the HR department as a whole.

Even if management-level employees forget about the work you do on a daily basis, remember that the human resource department is an essential component of the business. Implement new procedures in your department to recognize work and show other HR employees they are valued. Set a good example for management and be recognized for your own hard work.

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