Why the Negativity? We're Good People —Promise!

It's frustrating to see how people build a negative perception of HR. I often hear questions like, “What does HR even do?” or complaints about HR being unfair. Many don’t understand what HR actually does, yet it serves employers, candidates, and employees all at once.

HR's role is to support employers, employees, and candidates, not to be a Punching Bag. We in HR are dedicated professionals who assist companies in building strong teams, connecting people with job opportunities, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Employers have no idea about the importance of HR. In small companies, HR is frequently hired for administrative and clerical tasks without fully understanding the job description. HR ends up being assigned to procurement or administration tasks. In larger organizations, HR may be undermined or not given proper empowerment because the criticality of HR function is not well understood. Employees have no idea what exactly we can do for them or to them. They pictured us as the bad guys with all the power. And Candidates often think that if they aren’t selected for a job, it must be because we did something wrong; otherwise, they believe they would have been chosen

Come on, let me explain what we in HR do and what we can do for you!

Talent Acquisition as a Hiring Partner

As a Talent Acquisition Partner, I bridge the gap between hiring managers and candidates. I understand what hiring managers expect from a candidate and how they evaluate them. Similarly, I know what candidates expect from the company, the employer, and the team culture. I don’t make the final hiring decisions—there’s a structured approval process involving multiple stakeholders who determine the final candidates. My role is to provide hiring managers with a selection of suitable candidates and ensure that the company maintains a strong image in the job market to attract the right talent. This involves maintaining a positive candidate experience and collaborating effectively with hiring managers.

What HR business partners do?

HRBPs build relationships with leaders in each department to understand their needs. They come up with plans to solve challenges related to resources and make future hiring forecasts. This helps the company avoid hiring too many people, which could lead to layoffs later. Their goal is to ensure the company has well-trained and properly equipped employees who meet the organization's business needs.

What HR Operations do?

Oversee operations by assisting employees, addressing their concerns, and providing support for any questions they might have. Help them understand their benefits, keep employee records up-to-date, and enforce policies to protect the employer from legal issues, among other responsibilities.

Here’s something you should know: HR does not make final decisions. HR is not responsible for layoffs or hiring decisions. Instead, HR helps guide these decisions and ensures that both employers and employees are treated fairly. They support both sides and ensure that no one is treated unfairly. HR helps make sure decisions are unbiased and provides their insights if the decision might cause problems. For example, if a hiring manager decides not to hire a candidate, HR cannot force the hire but can ensure the decision is fair during the interview process. Similarly, if the company decides on layoffs, HR implements the decision while trying to minimize any negative impact.