If you’ve ever had an issue at work (lol, so all of us), reaching out to human resources was likely not on your list of next steps. We’re all too familiar with the narrative that HR is not to be trusted and is there to protect the company…
…or so we thought. In a recent Vice piece, work advice columnist Alison Green shared some tips on how to use HR to your advantage.
Before approaching them with a work-related issue, be aware that “HR employees aren’t doctors or priests, and you shouldn’t assume confidentiality when you’re talking to them,” Green wrote. But they do want to help.
So, when you’re thinking about:
- Going to HR about harassment or discrimination: “HR is the right place to go,” Green said. “They’re trained to handle those situations and have a legal obligation to investigate any good faith complaint that’s based on race, sex, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.”
- Going to HR about a coworker: “You’ll generally be expected to try to solve the problem on your own through direct communication with your colleague, and then bring in your boss if the problem continues.”
- Going to HR about your boss: “If the behavior is upsetting but not illegal (like a boss who micromanages you or is just a jerk), whether or not to talk to HR depends on how severe the situation is. If it’s not terribly egregious, HR usually won’t intervene, but will coach you on strategies you can try on your own.”
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