What if Human Resources Wants to Talk to You?

If human resources wants to speak with you, you may have a difficult time preparing mentally. The HR department practices a wide range of tasks and is responsible for communicating with a company's staff on a host of issues. While it is true that the human resources department typically oversees terminations and disciplinary actions, it is also a group that can be dedicated to growth, including expansions and company projects. As a result, you may want to refrain from rushing to judgment on the details of a forthcoming meeting.

Human resources is a viable part of most businesses that have grown to the point where they need to hire and maintain a staff of employees. Whether manned by a single executive or a team, this group often has a host of responsibilities to juggle. The role of HR has evolved over time but often involves the handling of sensitive employee information tied to salary and performance as well as medical and retirement benefits. This group is often either part of or closely linked to a business's top management team, and it is generally prudent for employees to bear this influence in mind when communicating with HR.

If HR beckons you for a meeting, it may be to attain your participation for some corporate project. Some of the most successful corporations are fine-tuning operations on an ongoing basis, using proactive measures via new projects to test ideas, keep productivity high and curb expenses. If you hear from HR, it may mean you are needed to serve in a capacity that is above and beyond typical duties. In this case, you may want to display a willingness to take on new responsibilities.

Originally, the role of HR was created to represent employees. Increasingly, however, the department has inherited the job of communicating bad news to employees. In addition to terminations, employees learn of cutbacks, such as salary or benefit reductions, from HR. Also, when economic times are tough, workers may be called upon to increase workloads without greater pay, and this message may be communicated via the HR department.

It is often the responsibility of the HR department to oversee employee benefits; including medical, dental and retirement packages. Every year, benefits providers undergo an "open season" in which various product offerings may be compared with other providers or details associated with current plans are merely updated. You may be called upon to review and provide feedback on competing offerings or simply to update some of the conditions associated with an existing plan. Major changes in public policy or or your personal status also can trigger a need for plan revisions.