‘It’s HR, not the ER’: hilarious but insightful Reddit moments

Our goal is to share both serious and humorous Reddit threads with you in a series of articles, providing commentary on HR matters. This is mainly for fun, but you’ll also pick up some cool takeaways along the way.

Reddit is like a giant brainstorming session where everyone’s invited and some people show up in their pajamas. Actually, it can resemble the office as well. It’s like a virtual office party—sometimes productive, often hilarious, and occasionally weird.

This article could be alternatively called “I learned HR from Reddit,” but that might be a little embarrassing.

Let’s dive into what our Redditors pulled out of their hats in this first edition.

It’s HR, not the ER

People often push HR to provide all the answers, sometimes struggling to understand the immense workload HR professionals carry.

One Redditor asked, “What HR advice do you wish you knew earlier?” Another responded with a hint of frustration, saying, “It’s HR, not the ER.” They definitely heard that on Reddit. While a strange way to support the initial statement, Redditors are known for their raw advice.

Comment
byu/Sal21G from discussion
inhumanresources

Another insightful response emphasized the vital role HR plays:

Comment
byu/Sal21G from discussion
inhumanresources

HR is a neuralgic group that participates in decisions but doesn’t decide on its own. They ensure that decisions are implemented effectively, balancing the needs of employees and employers.

HR isn’t just about documentation, as another comment highlights:

Comment
byu/Sal21G from discussion
inhumanresources

Is it bad to be too good?

One Redditor received a complaint from their HR manager about being too friendly with employees. Is that really so bad?

Working in HR involves building relationships and conveying the company culture to new hires. Ensuring a well-functioning, non-toxic environment is key. Human resources are fundamentally about human relationships—a valuable lesson.

A director complained that I’m too friendly
byu/str4ngerc4t inhumanresources

Of course, respecting hierarchy is essential. Building meaningful relationships is important, but it’s crucial to know who handles which tasks.

The truth seems to lie somewhere in the middle:

Comment
byu/str4ngerc4t from discussion
inhumanresources

Clear communication is key for any work relationship—and in everyday life too.

Regrettable turnover will haunt you

Everyone has bad days, but that doesn’t justify firing someone without cause. Regrettable turnover is something to avoid.

If you work in HR, here’s a roadmap to track regrettable turnover:

Comment
byu/Bones1225 from discussion
inhumanresources

But why did you reach this point? Make sure to get good feedback from your employees and adjust your strategies to avoid losing talent. When was the last time you ran an employee engagement survey? Maybe it’s time to revisit it.

You don’t need to lose your best people because they’re unhappy with internal communications or need additional benefits. Some of these requirements can be manageable and cost-effective.

People analytics roles on the rise

The surge is real. Who knew what People analytics was before the rise of 2023? Now, we know. People analytics is a crucial part of the HR team, playing a vital role in decision-making.

People analytics isn’t about turning people into numbers. It’s about identifying trends within your company, checking feedback, and making necessary changes and improvements based on data.

If you’re unsure what HR analytics entails, here’s a summary:

Comment
by from discussion
inhumanresources

For better HR management and more informed decisions about your personnel, you can rely on Workable.

Where did you end up?

HR can be daunting, stressful, and full of responsibilities, like many other jobs. Before closing this article, here’s an interesting story.

Would you imagine a career path that begins in HR and ends in nursing? Probably not, but someone decided to make that change.

Comment
byu/AlexaWilde_ from discussion
inhumanresources

This is great. It’s essential to regularly assess your needs and career goals. Imagine yourself as a company—what would you do to improve efficiency and effectiveness? If the answer is “go study nursing,” then do it.

You need to be happy with what you’re doing to create a positive and effective work environment. HR is no exception.

Good luck, and thanks for sharing this short break with me. See you in our next edition of how to ruin HR  Reddit Has It.