What else is in your job role?

Hi all,

Something that was in Rachel's blogpost 'Crimes against your HR department' made me think about why did all those that comment on it, and no doubt loads more that read it as well - have a good chuckle, me included, and view it as pretty much something that we have all seen in our own workplace?

The answer, I think, comes across in Mike's reply - about HR always being the 'Go to guys'. Certainly, from discussions with several other HR managers on my own course and within my local network, we do seem to pick up quite a range of 'other responsibilities'.

Mike is, of course, quite right in saying that it demonstrates a lack of understanding in the organisation about what HR is really about, and it really does need to be tackled.  

I'm really interested to hear just how widespread this is within organisations, so would love to know what else has been tacked onto your own role, besides HR?

As a starter - my role also includes volunteer manager, H&S Officer, Manager of our young trainee scheme. Another one that might not crop up.. I am also the licence holder for the organisation for handling protected species of snake and lizard! ;-)

Steve

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Replies

  • Its so nice to know we are all in same boat isn't it! 

    Mike - Can we have the t-shirts Steve suggested please!!!

  • Wow. How time flies when you are having fun!  It's been a year since I posted my discussion in the forum, and seems like only yesterday.

    I now feel far more comfortable in managing my own workload in line with what I am supposed to do, and not take on the odds and ends stuff that seemed to find it's way to me.  In a way, I'm simply enforcing some form of distinction between HR and Managers responsibilities in much the same way the Debbies document will have done.  It's a good idea to write it down as a document.

    I'm not one for saying "That's not in my JD so I'm not doing it" and I'm happy to mix it with anyone - next week I'm helping out with clearing the pond for example - as long as everyone else is also prepared to mix it.

    I found that completing my HRM level 5 course gave me a boost in being able to turn to managers and senior staff and explain to them exactly what my role is, and what it isn't! ;-)

    Good luck everyone.  I think we could do a line in T shirts that say " I'm HR trained by DPG - and I can do ANYTHING!"

    Steve

  • I cannot tell you how much of a comfort it is to hear I am not alone! This week I have been re-stocking the toilet roll holders, cleaning the kitchen amongst all kinds of other things. All because I am HR! More fool me for doing it really. I firmly believe this is because there is a lack of understanding as to what HR actually is or does. In my last company, I created a HR and Line Managers Responsibilities document, which contained fine detail of what exactly HR covered. This proved to a be really positive move. The document was given to new employees at point of induction.

    Debbie

  • Well this is very reassuring to read! I am in a similar position to several of the blog posts below. My "HR Manager" role was created for me within a rapidly expanding company (private preschool). I now get almost daily requests from the MD that start with "You're HR..can you do this please?" Pushing back against this is often very difficult and I find myself doing all sorts of things I shouldn't be. 

  • Hi Steve

    Totally agree that we're the "Go to guys" for most things.  This week's non-HR related request so far has been "the dishwasher has broken can you get a plumber to fix it?". 

    I also find that more & more I'm an Agony Aunt, but often unrelated to work.  People seem to come to me to talk about some small work related question, which I either answer or point them in the right direction of.  I smile at them thinking they'll leave but they dont & then continue on to another topic which can range anything from their sexual problems with their wife (not my choice of conversation over my lunchbreak - thankfully it wasn't toad in the hole!) to their dog is still pooping on the carpet even though they take them to classes and what do i suggest they do about it.

    Whatever we cover, HR is definitely not dull.

    Jill

  • I can add to this too:

    'Maintenance' problem solver ie., "the toilet is blocked can you help"  "The photocopier is broken can you fix it" etc etc.  'Office Management' often falls into the lap of HR depending on what departments you have within our company  or indeed how many employees you have.

     

  • Although I work as a HR Administrator, I end up being involved with Health and Safety, Payroll, Security Vetting, Vehicle Tracking, being a fire Marshall, dealing with the environmental management of the Head Office. Answering Phone calls for all departments, covering the buying department during lunch and organising meetings for colleagues. Pretty much an all rounder, but I think it tends to happen especially in smaller companies..

  • Hi Steve

    Think its more of a what isn't in my job!? HR is really hard to benchmark against other organisations as they all seem to have different roles added onto them. My job now I have the Health and Safety, all of payroll, Christmas party organiser, we've run out of milk lady, building maintenance and Easter Bunny (no I don't wear an outfit) but its one of the nice parts of the job giving everyone an easter egg! I am sure there are other things that come my way too,

    Great subject though and be interesting to read what everyone else has to contend with.

    Rachel

  • This is a very interesting topic.

    We are currently going through a huge period of change following our new CEO starting last year. We are expected to do more, quicker, with the same resource. Our head of HR has been pushed from operational to strategic, so her role has been passed downwards to two of us.

    We have started to scrutinise our own responsibilities and daily tasks, how are we going to get even more done? We have even tried a time management exercise, that didn't work! Rachel's blog is so apt. We are starting to question more of what we do, and stop this assumption that whatever it is, HR will do it! So far we have pushed our facilities and H&S training back to those departments, so changes are under way.

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