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When They Don’t Need HR
By Ron | August 20, 2008
Yesterday someone commented about if it was easy, they wouldn’t need us.
I’ve seen it when they didn’t need us.
Anyone who was involved in a start-up activity in Silicon Valley saw it. HR was the last function to be formed. Why? The participants were so excited about giving birth to a new product and a new company, their purpose was enough to carry them through. They didn’t need a recruiter; people were banging their door down to work there. An accountant arranged for group insurance coverage at an appropriate time. The receptionist handled the clerical duties associated with HR. Work was hard, but fun. Everyone pitched in as a team. The stimulating environment was all that was needed to keep everyone motivated.
Then, Phase 2: The product gets released. Customers demand for the product skyrockets. Money flows in. The original feeling is diminished. People problems surface. It is harder to attract job applicants. An EEO complaint is filed. Accidents start occurring on the production floor. I’ts not “easy” anymore. Suddenly, the CEO says, “We need a Human Resources Manager.”
I always loved Phase 1. When I went into the HR field, I had an agenda to work myself out of a job by helping the organization regain the spirit found in Phase 1. I never worked myself out of a job, but I did help rekindle some of the spark from the “old days.”
(to be continued)
Topics: HR |