HR Takes The Bitterest Pill

Occasionally something at work will cause distress. Sometimes it's an avoidable mistake that catches the attention of your boss. Sometimes it's an unintentional visceral reaction that breeds regret. Sometimes it's an erroneous accusation that puts one in a defensive position.

Even though all three are annoying situations, only the third one is beyond one's control. Sometimes this can be difficult to swallow. Depending on the gravity and circumstances behind the accusation, one could feel distrust for colleagues, a need for revenge, or an overall lack of faith in human beings. This can happen to every level of employees, even HR.

However, it is with great dexterity that excellent HR folks endure in a constant professional manner. We must overlook the trespass of others. We must keep an even-keeled emotional level. We must understand the human dynamic and realize that one person's perception at a given point in time will not always be in alignment with ours. If we don't, how much damage does it create?

I wonder sometimes when I read about common law cases involving employers and employees, how involved was HR in the decisions that were made that put the organization in this situation? Employees seek litigation because they have the resources of time and money (and legal assistance). But I think most are willing to part with the time and money because they maintain a level of anger or sadness that they can't release.

Given that HR folks are human too and susceptible to the same heightened levels of anger and sadness, is this where the mistakes start? If HR was involved in the decisions, was it because he or she was bitter and derisive? Was he or she maladjusted and acting out of spite?

Unfortunately humans are naturally wired to look for the bad in situations and react accordingly. We have to work through the fight-or-flight response to find the good. Yet it is this ability that sets us apart from other animal species. We can rationalize and subsequently forgive and progress. We can create civilizations.

Without the resource of humans, civilizations can't be created. Hence, HR has to be at it's best and has to take the bitter pill. Otherwise, we're just a bunch of animals.