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How would you describe HR to a class of schoolchildren?
Is there a simple and clear way to describe and explain the work of HR to a class of schoolchildren? And if you were faced with having to do this, what would you say?
This question was inspired by an interesting Twitter exchange between @neiljmorrison and @alisonchisnell earlier today (follow the Twitter timelines of these two exceptional individuals to find out what they would say).
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6 Answers
All of the transactional stuff aside (benefits, comp, etc) I would describe it as the area of the company that adds value to the business by helping improve the relationships between the workers and the bosses (these are schoolchildren, right?) so that people are doing work they can be proud of, earn rewards and work for the same goal of helping to make the company successful.
Michael, as mentioned this morning, I describe to little kids as being a bit like a lunchtime supervisor. I'm there to make sure everyone gets along nicely, has fun, that the atmosphere is good. Sometimes I need to wipe away a few tears, or fix a scraped knee or elbow, sometimes I need to break up a fight or stop one from happening.
And then very occasionally I send someone to stand in the corner until they learn how to play nicely.....!
Great question. It reminds me of the saying 'Unless you can describe something simply and succinctly, you don't truly understand it'.
So, I suppose I would describe my job as helping the company to get the most from its employees, while making sure they are paid right, valued and respected. I help managers enforce the rules and help to find new employees to add to the team.
Hope that works. That might be a nice mission statement for a HR team somewhere!
Hi Michael
I had the (self-inflicted!) chhallenge of talking to my daughter's reception class about my job and HR today...here's how I explained it to all of the 5 year olds
http://thehrjuggler.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/back-to-school/
It seemed to work and they were really engaged and interested...and my daughter's beaming smile and thumbs-up made me glad I have a little more time before she finds me too embarrassing ;)
Alison
Also, what a great question to ask in an HR interview. I'd ask it at all levels!
I like Neil's comment too. I guess we should clarify: exactly how old are the schoolchildren? :) Clearly we could use more simpler vocabulary.
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