“Why We Hate HR”

1. “Why We Hate HR” • Dark bureaucratic force that blindly enforces nonsensical rules, resists creativity, impedes constructive change • HR people not sharpest tacks in box • “HR isn’t about being a do-gooder – It’s about how do you get the best and brightest people and raise the value of the firm” • “Business acumen is the single biggest factor that HR professionals lack today” (esp finance) • HR invests more in activities than outcomes • Urge for one-size-fits-all • 94% of large ers outsourcing at least one HR activity • By 2008 many plan to expand outsourcing to include learning and development, payroll, recruiting, health and welfare • Source: Fast Company, August 2005

2. Listening to HR’s Critics • Quantify people-management results into dollars • Productivity of workforce • Cost of vacant position • Cost of keeping bad manager • Dollar impact of hiring and keeping top performers vs. average ones in mission-critical jobs • Adopt “fact-based” decision-making • Not “I think” or “I believe” but “I know” re: cause and effect • Causes of turnover • What motivates workers to produce more • Which HR actions can turn business unit around • Source: Workforce Management, 7/31/06