For those of you who wondered if I’ve fallen off of the HR wagon, I haven’t. I’ve been super-duper busy. The world of Employee Relations never sleeps!! Investigations, Arbitrations, Negotiations, OH MY!! It’s been a busy couple of months and every time I think I can catch my breath, it starts over again!! Employee relations is that area of HR that isn’t warm and fuzzy. We are the ones in the organization that cannot make any friends or “work spouses” on the job. I come into a room and all conversations cease. It’s a lonely life sometimes but I enjoy the work. For those newbies, Employee Relations isn’t all doom and gloom. Contrary to popular opinion we don’t all wear fedoras and long black trench coats. I smile more than I frown although in a termination meeting, it’s not appropriate so I have to put on my empathetic face. But I do get to go around the country training managers on the best ways to manage employees before we have to take an action.
My motto is: There are no bad employees, just bad managers. You may have inherited your problems but possession is 9/10ths of the law so it’s your responsibility to fix them. Not sure how to fix them? Have you spoken to your Human Resources Manager? What’s that you say, you are the HR person?
Well if you need some ideas on how to fix your employees and you will be in the Maryland area next week, sign up for the Chesapeake Human Resources Association’s Annual Conference held April 17, 2015, from 8am – 5pm, at Martins West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21244. http://www.chra.com/events/event_details.asp?id=521551&group= If you register for the conference, drop by the Employee Relations workshop titled “Call for HR When You Reach for the Shovel, Not When You Are 6′ Deep in a Hole.” Join me and Davita Carpenter, my co-facilitator and long time HR professional as we give you Reality TV HR. Hope to see you there. If you need help, send me an email at Hattye@HattyeKnight.com as a lifeline.
On my way to Mt. Rushmore country to teach a class next week. Be safe!