As an HR professional, I sometimes feel like we are the most hated members of an organization. We have to keep order and make sure things are done according to company policy. That means that we may sometimes have to deny our colleagues’ requests or be forced to sit in disciplinary meetings. That is part of our role. We have to do what we have to do. Have you ever felt targeted for doing what you have to do? Here’s why you should stick to your guns:
1. It pays off in the long run. Your company hired you to do a job. Every job has enjoyable and not so enjoyable parts of it. Sometimes you are going to have to disappoint a client with a decision that is in keeping with company policy. Or sometimes the scope of your service has to change due to an unforeseen issue arising. Be upfront and truthful with your client. While they may be angry/upset/despondent in the moment, they will eventually recognize the benefit of being given the news at the onset as opposed to being strung along. Even if the client is aggrieved, at the very least it will not be because you or your company is dishonest.
2. Your work will speak for itself. Once you work according to the rules, you will build a sound reputation. People will come to you because of that reputation, or not come to you if they want to cut corners (and who needs those kind of clients anyway). It is always better to be true to your trade. Why deliver poor work in the interest of time as opposed to doing it properly and thus branding your company and your name among the best?
3. You may not be loved but you’ll definitely be respected. There have been times where as a result of disciplinary action, a colleague would have had to lose out on some of their benefits and I had to deliver the news. Of course this is never fun or easy, however if the facts point to a particular consequence, then I firmly believe in people having to deal with same. There are times when you may be able to be lenient, however when you cannot, you just have to follow through with the verdict. Your colleague may not like you as a result, but that’s OK. You are not victimizing them – their actions resulted in an appropriate response. As I said before, you are there to do your job, and do it well.
People generally do not like to be corrected or deal with negative news. Throughout your career, there will be many times where you have to redirect clients if their requests are not in keeping with policy, or give them information that they do not want to but need to hear. Certainly in HR, you more than likely will do a lot of correcting colleagues during your career. While this doesn’t make you popular, doing right by your company ultimately helps everyone in the long run. Find the balance between making sure the company policy is upheld and ensuring your colleague/client leaves with a sense of contentment and integrity after discussing their matter with you. Whether or not the outcome of their request was favourable to them, they should always say that you were respectful and real with them. Keep your head up and keep doing the right thing.
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