For HR Professionals, career suicide is allowing yourself be used to do the dirty work of unscrupulous management.

HR is not the ‘hit man’ signing off wrongful terminations at every whim. Neither is HR ‘fear factory’, churning out threats and disciplinary letters at rapid speed.

HR is also not ‘salary slasher’, seeking out any opportunity to make deductions to staff salaries. Deductions made as fines are illegal and many times inhumane.

HR is not law enforcement, standing by the office entrance watching out for who comes to work late or whose skirt is too short.

HR is definitely not ‘the mother’, communicating with staff in baby language or feeling the need to solve all staff personal problems.

Neither is HR freedom fighter, carrying placards with staff in the guise of employee advocacy, unless of course, HR has decided to quit on a toxic management.

HR creates, enables and manages stakeholder value.

HR is a business partner, facilitating the development and implementation of strategies that propel their organisations to win in their markets.

HR creates an atmosphere where adult humans can thrive; are clear about their role and supported to achieve their best work.

Decent HR is open, receptive yet firm. Policies are clear, unambiguous and humane.

Indecent behaviour and circumstances are managed by functioning policies and systems that execute consequences for sub standard performance and behaviour.

If you feel pressured by poor management to implement poor HR practices, do your career a favour by planning your exit. It is better to leave honourably than incur professional reputational damage.

HR amplifies leadership. HR can makes good leadership great, but if not well managed, HR can make bad leadership much worse.

What is your HR amplifying? You decide.

Your thoughts?