HR REPS STRIVE FOR RESPECT IN TECH-DRIVEN VALLEY
by ArLyne Diamond, Ph.D.

Although some human resources staffs are well-respected, most are considered obstructionists, in the way of the "real work" of the organization.

Silicon Valley executives are dividing their work force into two distinct groups: innovators and get-in-the-wayers. Many middle managers and HR folk are given this later designation. This distinction is most obvious in the valley's technology companies, which pride themselves on creativity, flexibility and adaptability.

Innovators are seen as professional, imaginative, able to make their own decisions and needing freedom. This sometimes includes sleeping under desks, bringing pets to work and treating others rudely. This seeming anarchy is antitheses of HR's mandate to maintain structure and consistency.

Complaints from CEO's and senior vice presidents interviewed about managing creativity in the workplace, included:

- HR can't be trusted to screen correctly. We now demand all resumes and invariable find the best candidates at the bottom of their reject pile.

- HR hires in their own image. The unusual is seen as frightening and creative people are seen as loose cannons.

- HR stays in familiar territory, and hires training programs used by their friends. Trainers with something new to say are perceived as too risky.

- HR representatives preach diversity, yet they want people from many different cultural background to behave exactly alike.

- HR rules and regulations are seen as constrictive, punitive and not helpful.

The results is that HR is being ignored and management is delegating up. Responsibility is taken away from HR representatives and transferred to upper-level managers.

On the other hand, HR managers say:

- Management shows so little respect for us. They tell us to "keep out of the way of productive work." This destroys credibility and effectiveness.

- HR people feel handicapped, frustrated and discouraged because of the biases against them. They are acutely aware of the lack of respect they get from people at other levels in the organization and feel constrained to play "cop" rather than "consultant".

- Afraid and anxious, HR representatives become more rigid. This rigidity offends those they serve and therefore they lose respect.

- Since Silicon Valley consists of many engineers, scientists and software developers, our desire to help with the people issues is often rejected as "touchy-feely" stuff.

- The bottom line is all these companies care about. They can see the value to them in quantifiable areas like benefits, but not in human-relations areas.

- Often the secretary with the least amount of work is given the responsibility of "personnel issues" and then grows with the company, having no education and little training in this important area of responsibility.

What are the solutions? Upper management needs to demand a higher level of intelligence, expertise and abilities in those they hire into HR and then use them as potentially valuable allies.

HR representatives need to have more respect for themselves and the importance of their function as valuable advisors to the management team. Instead of being nay-sayers they need to learn more about maximizing human potential.

Although legal considerations are important, playing it too safe hinders productivity and successful interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

Innovative and creative management training helps HR and managers see the value of enabling employees with more freedom.

There are exceptions to the trend I've described. Some companies have found outstanding HR representatives and promoted them into other positions. These individuals are part of the strategic planing at all levels and set a tone that emphasizes the importance of taking care of people.

It is these exceptions who need to be more visible. They can become dynamic role models, teaching others to listen more actively, assess abilities and accept the real diversity among us without fear.

And above all, "lighten up" and take some risks. Nothing new ever happened by playing it safe.