An organization’s Human Resources department is one of its most critical functions, with HR Professionals serving as:
Mediators
Counselors
Advisors
Data Entry Specialists
Analysts
Strategists
Partners
Clearly, HR is embedded into many organizational roles providing necessary support services to improve employee and customer experience and enhance business development. However, the HR profession is inherently demanding, and the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this reality. Consequently, HR professionals now seek self-care, work-life balance, and career satisfaction. This means their employers must also prioritize their well-being by supporting them with the resources and tools needed to perform vital organizational responsibilities.
Organizations should consider providing additional support to the HR team if they are:
Facing challenges with leadership but lacking internal resolution solutions
Continuously recruiting for the same jobs due to high turnover rates
Consistently managing employee frustrations and complaints
These six (6) strategies can help you prioritize the well-being of your HR department, ensuring they feel heard, valued, and supported:
Establish formal labor relations processes: When problems arise, a transparent and comprehensive labor relations policy will protect all employees, including those in HR. Inclusive policies ensure HR professionals have the same benefits as all other employees. To improve your labor relations practices, try the following:
Creating a trusted advisor’s program
Hiring external HR conflict resolution resources
Engage executive leadership
Implement consistent practices: To ensure HR’s optimal performance, provide them with internal support to address their own performance concerns. They must also receive the same level of support for internal learning and development as the organization offers other employees. Influence the change you wish to see by creating a culture that values the well-being and success of all employees, including its HR professionals.
Require HR leadership training: Equip the HR department with the training and tools to institute innovative organizational practices. Training and development empower HR to identify their own blind spots while supporting various teams. If internal leadership coaching isn’t available, external coaching can be a valuable resource for the HR team and organizational leaders.
Create safe spaces for HR: Strategies to support the HR team are necessary because they handle sensitive and confidential situations. Bottling-up stress related to the following can significantly impact the well-being of HR professionals:
Managing performance issues
Supporting layoffs & terminations
Investigating and handling workplace incidents
Managing increased workloads
Support your HR team by creating safe spaces where they can access the help needed to feel valued and know their contributions are appreciated. Prioritize their well-being and provide them with the necessary resources to manage sensitive issues effectively. This will help ensure they have the support to navigate challenging situations and contribute to the organization’s success.
Prioritize mental health: Working in HR can be challenging, especially when handling sensitive issues such as layoffs, employee relations, and coaching managers through high turnover. Although HR professionals are responsible for promoting employee benefits and well-being services, they must also take advantage of these resources. Encourage your HR team to prioritize their mental health to manage their demanding roles better.
Operationalize staffing contingency plans: The workload for HR professionals has significantly increased since March 2020, including:
Conducting pulse surveys
Addressing staffing shortages
Managing layoffs
Facilitating return to office planning
Staffing contingency plans are necessary because this increase in workload has made many HR professionals feel uncomfortable taking time off or unable to delegate work due to insufficient staffing levels. Prioritize staffing contingency plans to help them manage their workload effectively and prevent the loss of valuable team members. Start by allocating resources to create contingency and succession plans that provide support for the HR team.
When your team says they’re overworked, believe them. Intentionally checking in can help uncover stressors, roadblocks, and challenges. HR professionals are typically responsible for the needs of others, which they often prioritize above their own. However, it’s essential to prioritize your HR team’s well-being to support the organization’s health. An employee’s resignation is the final step in leaving their position. Prevent excessive turnover and burnout among HR professionals through formalizing policies prioritizing their well-being, investing in their continued development, and creating safe spaces for vulnerability and transparency.
If you’re struggling with building support programs for your HR team, contact Abnormal Logic at info@abnormallogicllc.com.