Bad HR Dept = Bad Company?
Discussion
I have worked for my self for years, so am a little out of touch and to be fair not used to (do not like) being told they way things are going to be, I accept that and will adjust.
However I have been "offered" a role, poorly paid but really interesting, since the offer dealing with HR has been an nightmare, everything seems to take absolutely ages to get done and they keep asking for more things, references etc... just not a pleasant experience.
I signed a contract over a month ago and have the offer in writing (dependent on reference checks) still waiting on a start date.
In the mean time I am losing out on a good few other offers...pretty stressful.
So as well as just venting....does a bad HR dept mean its going to be a bad place to work? I'm guessing once I am in the door I am not going to be dealing with them that often? Its in education if that helps.
However I have been "offered" a role, poorly paid but really interesting, since the offer dealing with HR has been an nightmare, everything seems to take absolutely ages to get done and they keep asking for more things, references etc... just not a pleasant experience.
I signed a contract over a month ago and have the offer in writing (dependent on reference checks) still waiting on a start date.
In the mean time I am losing out on a good few other offers...pretty stressful.
So as well as just venting....does a bad HR dept mean its going to be a bad place to work? I'm guessing once I am in the door I am not going to be dealing with them that often? Its in education if that helps.
You probably will have to deal with them again. I think companies have HR depts bt dont give them the tools they need to do 'stuff' so while they like to talk the talk, they cant really do much without getting it signed off from someone. That's just the way it is in many cases. The employers who have good HR depts who know where their abilities start and end are generally great, largely because you as the average worker dont hear from HR - they feed it all through managers
andy-xr said:
I think companies have HR depts bt dont give them the tools they need to do 'stuff' so while they like to talk the talk, they cant really do much without getting it signed off from someone.
That seems to be exactly the issue, if that's how it is most places I'll probably just need to take a breath and adjust my expectations and timescales. 
king useless HR departments so I don't think it is indicative of the company as a whole HR departments should really just be agents of the hiring manager. So whilst your experience is probably typical, I would recommend, if you're not already, to be in regular communication with the hiring manager and work your issues through them. The assumption being that they're as keen as you to get you in as soon as possible.
If however a better offer comes along in the meantime then of course you'd be advised to consider it.
Good luck!
If however a better offer comes along in the meantime then of course you'd be advised to consider it.
Good luck!
Bushi said:
Thanks all. Still no start date.
So Wednesday night applied for matching role at a different college.
Had interview today, offer before I got home.
Start next week.
Can't fathom what the other guys were playing at.
Congratulations.So Wednesday night applied for matching role at a different college.
Had interview today, offer before I got home.
Start next week.
Can't fathom what the other guys were playing at.
Make sure you let the original lot know. Particularly as you signed their contract.
IMHO
90% of people end up in the role they are most psychologically suited for. Note - not good at – just psychologically suited for. I did have the link to this research – lost it!
In my experience, they just want to mess around with other people’s lives.
There was one HR woman who was switched on in her role. She was so much better than all the others. Epic cleavage too….
My ex fiancé worked in HR, even hearing it from the other side - did not fill me with glee.
90% of people end up in the role they are most psychologically suited for. Note - not good at – just psychologically suited for. I did have the link to this research – lost it!
In my experience, they just want to mess around with other people’s lives.
There was one HR woman who was switched on in her role. She was so much better than all the others. Epic cleavage too….
My ex fiancé worked in HR, even hearing it from the other side - did not fill me with glee.
andy-xr said:
You probably will have to deal with them again. I think companies have HR depts bt dont give them the tools they need to do 'stuff' so while they like to talk the talk, they cant really do much without getting it signed off from someone. That's just the way it is in many cases. The employers who have good HR depts who know where their abilities start and end are generally great, largely because you as the average worker dont hear from HR - they feed it all through managers
This ^^^. I've worked for one firm that had first rate HR. They supported and supervised everyone whose responsibilities included man management. Loads of firms prattle on about the importance of leadership; misplaced hyperbole with no discernible effect on how the firm actually operates. Very few seem to actually manage and support their middle managers effectively. I don't necessarily think there is a correlation between BAD HR DEPT and BAD COMPANY.
Small/ medium sized companies which are being successful and growing rapidly, often are under resourced in support departments (HR for example) and as such these departments struggle to fulfil the needs of the growing company (and prospective employees). It often means more opportunities from my limited perspective......
I have not moved jobs frequently, but have worked for mainly medium sized businesses. As others have said the hiring manager is the one to keep in contact with as they are the one needing the resource more than the HR dept.
For example, at my last firm, they really needed engineering resource. The HR manager asked me to attend an interview on one date, but I said I could not attend until a week later (it was 250 miles away!). I turn up a week later, to find a surprised (and relieved) HR manager who thought I was a 'no show'. The following day I was offered the job.... she had been desperately trying to recruit for several positions and missed my email (it was in 2000)!
Ten years later, I was head of engineering and quality for three sites globally, primarily due to expansion.
Mike
Small/ medium sized companies which are being successful and growing rapidly, often are under resourced in support departments (HR for example) and as such these departments struggle to fulfil the needs of the growing company (and prospective employees). It often means more opportunities from my limited perspective......
I have not moved jobs frequently, but have worked for mainly medium sized businesses. As others have said the hiring manager is the one to keep in contact with as they are the one needing the resource more than the HR dept.
For example, at my last firm, they really needed engineering resource. The HR manager asked me to attend an interview on one date, but I said I could not attend until a week later (it was 250 miles away!). I turn up a week later, to find a surprised (and relieved) HR manager who thought I was a 'no show'. The following day I was offered the job.... she had been desperately trying to recruit for several positions and missed my email (it was in 2000)!
Ten years later, I was head of engineering and quality for three sites globally, primarily due to expansion.
Mike
Jasper Gilder said:
At least one of the Herts colleges has a pretty lethargic HR department - PM me to exchange details!!
It was a college based in West Herts. Genuinely never been treated so bad.New role is at Milton Keynes, glad I moved on the difference in how I have been treated and feel valued is huge. Only time will tell how this carries on through daily working.
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