This article relates to the Human Resource Functions competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. It reflects one employee's satisfaction with the manner in which her HR department carried out their work. This competency examines how your employees feel with regards to the quality and implementation of the human resource role within your organization. A human resource department that is properly informed of employee issues, demonstrates a high integrity level, and communicates effectively with staff and management should expect a high satisfaction level in this competency area.
This short story, Human Resources at Work, is part of AlphaMeasure's compilation, Tales From the Corporate Frontlines. It illustrates how a competent, compassionate staff can perform their HR functions and really make a difference in the lives of employees, creating goodwill that spreads throughout the workplace.
Anonymous Submission: Human Resources at Work
I've worked at a few different companies, and never had much interaction with human resources departments, other than hiring and benefits enrollment paperwork.
I'd like to tell you about one staff member who really made a difference in my life. Stricken with a sudden and very debilitating sickness, I was completely confused about my benefits and responsibilities with regard to time off for treatment, and the coverage provided by my company-paid health insurance plan. I'd rarely even been sick before, and never hospitalized.
I called work from my hospital bed to tell my manager what had happened. I asked a few questions about my options and he told me he hadn't a clue---and offered to transfer my call to the HR department. I really didn't know what to expect. I had heard some lunchroom complaints abut nasty attitude over the years, but had no reason to expect a problem in this situation. Still, I was nervous.
I needn't have been. Julie was kind, helpful, and very efficient. She had a broad base of knowledge about my benefit programs and the sequence of procedures that I should follow. There were a few areas that seemed questionable, but she promised to get answers and get back to me. She fulfilled that promise quickly and efficiently.
Over the next few weeks, which proved to be a trying period, Julie was always there for me. She helped me process paperwork, contacted the proper home office departments on my behalf, and did everything she could to minimize the stress involved in my recovery. "You just concentrate on getting better, I'll take care of everything at this end", she would say to me whenever things got too confusing. She really understood my distraction and took over for me when I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sure there were times when another person would have lost her cool and become frustrated, but Julie never did.
I recently returned to work after a long rehabilitation period. I'm feeling much better now, and see and speak to Julie less often. When I think of the people who were most responsible for helping me to recover, I always think of her. She took responsibility to assist me, and did a fantastic job. She knew how to handle my issues, and was masterful at effective communication. Julie is an asset to our human resources department, and reached the standard that I believe all professionals in this field should strive for.
© 2005 EngagedMetrics, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes the author bio information, and all links remain active.
Measure. Report. Improve your organization with EngagedMetrics.
Josh Greenberg is President of EngagedMetrics, Inc.
EngagedMetrics provides organizations of all sizes a powerful web based method for measuring employee satisfaction, determining employee engagement, and increasing employee retention.
Launch your EngagedMetrics Employee Survey System with EngagedMetrics.
The story of the emperor's new clothes is a fairy... Read More
You, the Entrepreneur, are 'normally' a type-A individual. One who... Read More
Individual and corporate security stand in the center of the... Read More
The use of cultural awareness training has increased rapidly in... Read More
You have been named a new leader in your organization,... Read More
Which documents must I keep for ISO 9001?In addition to... Read More
What is the number one way to prevent failure in... Read More
It was 2.30 am. It was cold and dark and... Read More
Speak of operations assessment, and we'll hear its significant value.... Read More
Insanity in the Sign & Graphics IndustryEinstein's DefinitionAlbert Einstein once... Read More
One of the most difficult and emotionally draining situations you... Read More
The time will come when you'll need to interview someone... Read More
"Jack" (not his real name) is a vice president of... Read More
Few Decision makers see the link between between creativity and... Read More
The failures we have seen in the quality and integrity... Read More
It should not be. If it is an effective newsletter,... Read More
I recently received a most interesting phone call.When I answered... Read More
"When you hire the best, the rest is easy!" We... Read More
Business IntelligenceBusiness Intelligence has become a very important activity in... Read More
A study a couple of years ago found that 63%... Read More
Nearly all leaders I've encountered are underachievers. They're getting a... Read More
What do people really find challenging about leading meetings? Here... Read More
What is the Process Approach to Quality?The ISO 9001 2000... Read More
Most people just want to be appreciated. If you're a... Read More
One of the more ambiguous elements of a Six Sigma... Read More
We all know people who are like human dynamos. They... Read More
At some point, your business is going to need to... Read More
--PREPARATION: The purpose of the therapeutic approach is to spark... Read More
The CultBecoming a part of the Cult, consists of being... Read More
1. Personal insight. Great CEOs are great leaders. They know... Read More
With the advancement of computer simulators, anybody can repeat all... Read More
I once worked in a place where there were three... Read More
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
Why do managers create low morale as a product of... Read More
Some say that in business as in sex: if it... Read More
Six Ways to Keep Things Simple We can have greater... Read More
One of the first questions we ask a prospect or... Read More
As you look around your office, is everyone just like... Read More
E-mail, voicemail, "got a minute?" interruptions, multiple projects... Read More
Perfectionism can get in the way of building or marketing... Read More
Many people believe that everyone sees the world exactly the... Read More
We know character when we see it, but what exactly... Read More
When economic conditions turn tough or when the heavy work... Read More
After a full week of training, you are still a... Read More
Traditionally, in American businesses, the same person occupies the role... Read More
This is a bottom-line environment.Decreasing the downtime of revenue producing... Read More
One of the most difficult and emotionally draining situations you... Read More
It has been said, there is no better way to... Read More
Adults are vulnerable to personal and professional embarrassment from poor... Read More
An ongoing series of articles exploring the seven critical areas... Read More
A long time ago, I learned something about being a... Read More
Quality hiring is more than running ads, screening, interviewing and... Read More
If you have ever worked within a large organisation then... Read More
It's that time again! Perhaps the most dreaded management practice... Read More
Ellen was a clerk working for a large insurance company.... Read More
Definition From http://www.merriamwebster.com -- "Virtual: - being such in essence... Read More
IntroductionAre you looking for a way to gain control of... Read More
Most business owners I work with want to grow their... Read More
I sit on the board of an organization and at... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Modern business faces complex problems; management often calls upon highly-specialized... Read More
Measure.The first key question to answer in starting a problem-solving... Read More
Have you ever worked for someone who was such a... Read More
"Experience is not what happens to a man; it is... Read More
Much of the literature and advice on implementing business change... Read More
Business Management |