Debunking & Addressing 3 Common Myths About HR

Most people often have a skewed perception of what Human Resources is or what they do, either from TV shows, movies, or former employees who were let go. These falsities not only make their jobs harder, but hurt the organization as a whole. Let’s explore three common misconceptions and discover the truth behind HR’s role in organizations.

Myth 1: HR exists to make employees jobs harder

Unfortunately, many people think HR’s only task is to burden them with administrative tasks and other unnecessary work, which is the farthest from the truth. Just because HR is in the room does not mean that someone is about to be fired or they are going to put someone under performance review; that’s just one unfortunate component of their job. HR is very multi-faceted in its duties and tasks, but many times people only remember the negative interactions instead of all the good that they do too. For instance, HR is usually the one to take initiatives forward for DEAI to help instill a culture of inclusivity in an organization. They also do things like make sure employees know about mental health resources available to them, work with insurance providers to make sure you’re taken care of , just to name a few. It is people that make up a Human Resources Department, not rule-oriented, paperwork-junky robots who exist only to make your job harder.

Myth 2: HR always takes the side of the company over the employees

I can speak from experience, coming into Quatrro as a new intern with predisposed notions of what HR is, and the reality I found was very different from my expectations. I saw and heard them talk about employee welfare all the time and often take the time to ask questions to get to know them better, so they could better advocate for the employees in the future. There were so many more decisions and debates that go through Human Resources than I ever realized, and I can vouch from experience sitting in on calls during my internship with them that they don’t make a single decision without thinking of how it would affect an employee, their family, and their future. If Quatrro’s HR team thinks a new policy or insurance plan is not the best version it can be to benefit its employees, they will go back to the drawing board until they feel they did everything they can to make it the best option possible for their employees. People think HR chooses the company over employees, but employees are the company; it’s not one or the other, they are synonymous.

Myth 3: HR plays a small role in the overall functioning of a company, they just enforce rules and fire people

Again, this is simply not true. HR might have been a small component of companies many years ago, but today they are the silent superheroes of the business world. They used to be thought of as merely a personnel department, but today they have a proper seat at the table for strategic conversations when it comes to growing and advancing companies. HR hires new talent that fits company culture, creates programs that make everyone feel included and engaged, negotiates the best insurance plan options so families can have great healthcare, and so much more. Although HR is usually a smaller department within a company, they help orchestrate so many moving parts that keep a company moving swiftly and without disruption – and most times employees don’t even realize how HR played a part.

Addressing the Myths

ENow that we have talked about some of the common misconceptions around Human Resources and what role they play in companies, let’s dive into some ideas on how HR teams can address these common problems: