Here’s a situation retold:Imagine that you work on the 18th floor of a building. One fine Monday afternoon, a fire breaks out on the 7th floor and it is fast spreading. The people on your floor are in danger and most exits are cut off. Then one little bird comes along and tells you that … Continue reading Are we just counting cows?
Ever come across unreasonable demands from employees? Am sure you have. Sometimes, unreasonable is far too mellow to describe the outrageous demands that I’ve come across. On one such occasion, an employee actually said to me – ‘You are the HR. It’s your job to keep the employees happy.’ This got me thinking … Continue reading Wanting ‘Green Tea’
Pick your employees up and move them around; play checkers with them - give them a new space to call their own. Not a new idea! It's one that has been around for ages and one I'd like to repeat. Want more engaged employees? Give them new cubicles - hold cubicle decoration contests - watch … Continue reading Shuffle ’em around
The week after the announcements of the annual appraisal ratings can be the best and worst periods of a Unit HR’s job. For younger organizations, it gets a little tougher; not as much because of the processes but because the major population fails to understand how it works. And it is common knowledge that whatever … Continue reading Bell that cat!
A recent article states that according to the Gallup Organization research, the best HR professionals can help their companies increase productivity, sales, and other performance metrics by as much as 20%, year after year. When I look at my organization, I realize that a lot of our time is taken away by traditional engagement activities. Being … Continue reading How well do you know your business?
Imagine living in the constant fear of being punished for every mistake that you may make. A dreadful thought, isn't it? On the other hand, imagine a world where you are allowed to make your fair share of errors? The choice is obvious. Allowing someone to make mistakes ensures the growth of an individual. Very often … Continue reading Making Mistakes, Taking Risks
This post follows the theme of my previous one. My boss pays a lot of attention to the citations that are read out while presenting an award. Very often, the team receives citation that goes into excruciating details of the task performed by an individual. The appreciation gets lost in the details. And then one … Continue reading The ‘big words’ of appreciation
Most organizations have their fair share of awards ranging from the most prestigious to the ones not as big. As HR’s, sometimes our focus shifts to the larger awards and we tend to begin giving less importance to the awards that in our opinion are ‘not as big’.Similarly in our organization, we have an award … Continue reading Making it special!
I reached office on Monday morning to find three employees from my business unit install a mini fish tank at my desk. They responded with wide grins to my surprised stare.‘This is to keep you entertained when you get bored with your work! They also bring good luck.’I haven’t been more touched in my life. … Continue reading Fish Tank!
Most people hold a certain level of inhibition when it comes to conversing freely with their managers especially if what they have to say is not positive. This level of inhibition only increases with the skip level manager; and gets worse when it’s the department head. Changes always have a consequence. It isn’t necessarily good … Continue reading What would you tell your department head?
The HR Business Partner Story 