Hi
I'm after some honest opinions from other HR professionals as at the moment I am unsure which way to turn?
I started a new role four weeks ago within a shared service environment (first time in this environment) as an Advisor. I am not involved with any case management including absence, performance etc...as the Managers all appear to be self sufficient, they even do their own AWOL letters, in fact the last few weeks not much really a few emails and all appear to asking for information which I know nothing about because everything goes through to Corporate HR and Payroll or various other departments, so just chasing information.
I did resign last week due to total boredom and frustration, however they are keen to want me to stay, due to unfortunate timings with other staff on annual leave, I never received an induction or handover appropriate to the role or any processes or policies.
I have a desk (yippee) within an open office and sit with other people who have nothing to do with the HR team but are our employees. Even supplied my own stationary
Now they have given me a list of potential project work (to persuade me to stay) however, I did state I can't and don't want to rely solely on project work and being involved with payroll which I didn't want in the first place, as in previous roles I have been "hands on" and miss that element of the role.
I understand the role of HR is changing but surely not this much?
So what would you do? Stay or go?
Thanks for all your advise
Sue
Replies
Hi Sue
Like others who have responded I have been in the same situation as well. I stayed 2 months, in the hope that something changed and the job description that was given would eventually start to emerge. I too was given payroll (not in the job description) and I really did not like this. For me, it felt like I had moved from a generalist role where I got involved in lots of different things, to a job which didn't offer me any satisfaction. I know how the boredom and frustration made me feel so after many requests, and nothing happening, I made the decision to leave as I felt that if I stayed too long, I would start to loose the skills I had built up.
Having said all of that, it may be that the job becomes something more when the staff on leave return and you get an induction and handover so it might be a good idea to wait to see what happens. It's a tough decision but make the decision based on what is best for you. It's your career and you know what you want from a job/career so go with what feels right for you and not the company.
All the best with whatever you decide.
Jane
Hi Sue,
I had a similar predicament a couple of years ago - albeit not quite the same scenario...
I'd joined a company which had never had HR before, it seemed a really exciting opportunity as the MD was really enthusiastic at the interview and said all the right things, making me feel it was the right move. After only a couple of weeks however, I kind of knew I'd made a mistake. The MD didn't ever want to talk to me about HR and what I should be doing (I wanted to know what his priorities were for me, find out their current processes, get copies of personnel records, etc.), other than when he wanted to fire someone unfairly and I had to fight to keep her! It was also an awful environment to work in, on numerous occasions I witnessed the MD come out of his office shouting and swearing at staff! I stuck it out for six weeks when eventually something better came along (my current job) - although I was very close to the point of just leaving and finding some temp work as it was just a complete waste of time.
With regards to your situation, I agree with Sarah in that to a certain extent it depends on what you want from a role and what you want to achieve in your career; personally I wouldn't like a role where I wasn't involved in case management and had entirely self-sufficient managers. Although as you also mention about most things going to Corporate or Payroll, I would wonder what they are really expecting from this role....what was the job spec - is it what you expected it to be?
It's hard to say exactly what I'd do without knowing the ins and outs, but from what you've said I would probably start looking elsewhere for something more suitable.
Hope that helps.
Becky
Hi Sue
Thanks for the post and sharing your predicament. I guess my first thoughts would be what are your career / development objectives and does what you are doing now move you closer towards achieving these?
I guess if the answer is no then yes I would be reconsidering my options. Of course they want you to stay as it creates a problem in terms of resource, but at the end of the day sometimes you have to be selfish and think about what's in it for you.
Also when I've been in this situation I write a list of the pros and the cons and this can help me decide.
Good luck whichever you decide.
Come on Community can anyone else out there help Sue?
All the best
Sarah