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HR Heroes: When HR Saves the Workplace

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HR Heroes: When HR Saves the Workplace

An HR team is best known for working behind the scenes, interacting with employees and management only when necessary, and even then, somehow managing to stay undercover.

Well, all that changes when the organization is up against a crisis and needs everything from a crisis manager to all-round navigator.

It is during these times that the true worth of an HR team comes to the fore, and this is when everyone from an employee to a CEO realizes just how relevant an HR team is to not just their success but also their stability.

We reached out to our business leaders and requested them to share with us any instances that woke them up to the heroes that HR truly are, and the stories we received in return does indeed cement the fact that these behind-the-scenes personnel are the ones who save the workplace when nothing else works!

Read on!

Trisha Zulic
HR Consultant, Efficient Edge

Encouraging Civil Conversations

During election week, the tone in the workplace shifted. 

Rather than avoiding sensitive topics, we introduced the concept of civil conversations – encouraging discussions to be conducted with dignity and respect. 

This initiative, driven by SHRM, proved to be valuable in addressing the silent challenges within the organization, fostering a more open and supportive environment.

Jake Linkowski
Change Management Consultant, Horizon Consulting

Streamlining Onboarding Process

During a period of rapid growth, our company faced challenges in onboarding new employees efficiently. 

The HR team streamlined the onboarding process, developed comprehensive training programs, and fostered a welcoming company culture. This proactive approach ensured a smooth transition for new hires, boosting their productivity and overall satisfaction. 

Additionally, HR’s emphasis on employee engagement initiatives led to increased morale and a stronger sense of belonging within the organization.

Mark Krajnik, LSSGB, CPC
Fractional Chief People Officer, Performance Mindset Associates

Contributing to AWS Growth

There are two sides to HR, Internal Affairs and People, Talent, and Culture. 

Internal Affairs tends to send fear and stress towards employees, as it is in place to protect the organization and deals in investigations, compliance, and regulatory issues. 

When I was on the global Executive Recruiting Team at AWS, prior to the massive layoffs in 2023, our HR team played a key role in the growth and success of the fastest growing division at Amazon. 

Our virtual international team served to deliver the top executives that led AWS around the globe. We met our diversity hiring goals in back-to-back years, engaged executive leadership to gain insights around continuous improvement, and created incredible employee engagement programs. 

The People, Talent, and Culture side of HR at AWS from 2021-2022 was the best-of-the-best, adding value to a growing organization.

Lynne Williams
Resumes & LinkedIn – Executive Director, Great Careers Network

Advocating for Inclusivity

As the currently self-employed mother of a neurodivergent AUDHD (autistic and ADHD) adult child and former K-12 special education teacher, I applaud the HR teams who are advocates of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and justice (DEIBAJ) at my daughter’s current workplaces. 

The HR team is critical in fostering inclusivity by ensuring accommodations meet diverse employee needs. Creating an equitable workplace is essential, especially considering the significant time spent at work. 

By facilitating understanding and open communication, HR can help implement accommodations that enable individuals to perform at their best. They are instrumental in educating managers and staff on the importance of inclusivity and promoting a culture of empathy and collaboration. 

Through consistent monitoring and advocacy, HR can ensure that accommodations remain effective for individuals and are aligned with organizational goals because, as we know from research, diversity drives more innovation and market growth. Employees must know there are equitable opportunities and feel a sense of belonging.

Adam Zagha
Founder, Numa Recovery Centers

Performing in a High-Stress Environment

In the high-stress environment of addiction treatment, maintaining staff morale and retention is crucial. 

At Numa Behavioral Health, we faced a significant challenge during the pandemic, where HR interventions were essential. By prioritizing employee mental health through targeted training and support, we ensured our staff felt valued and equipped to navigate their own recovery journeys, which ultimately benefited our clients.

During a recent staffing crisis, effective HR strategies were pivotal. Our HR team developed flexible work policies that catered to employee well-being, addressing burnout and promoting a resilient workplace culture.

Our HR team has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive workplace that respects individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those in recovery. Implementing inclusive hiring practices not only supports our mission but also enriches our organizational culture, making it a safe space for all employees.

Drawing from my consulting background, I’ve seen how technological innovations in HR practices- such as 24/7 mental health resources- have transformed workplace support systems. These advancements are critical in the mental health sector, allowing us to provide continuous support for our employees and ensuring they have access to the resources they need.

As I often say, “A strong HR foundation is the bedrock of a thriving organization, especially in the mental health and addiction field.”

Reade Taylor
Technology Leader, Cyber Command

Responding to Unexpected Challenges

In a recent project at Cyber Command, we faced a cybersecurity threat from a third-party vendor, which underscored the vital role HR plays in our organization. 

The HR team swiftly coordinated with IT to organize immediate training sessions for staff, focusing on identifying potential threats and strengthening our internal protocols. This action not only mitigated the immediate risk but also built a stronger security mindset within the team.

From this experience, we recognized the significance of having a well-prepared HR department to respond to such unexpected challenges. 

Beyond hiring, HR has proved to be our frontline in fostering a proactive culture of awareness and training. This, in turn, improves our overall resilience to cybersecurity threats and ensures smooth operational continuity.

David Pumphrey
CEO, Riveraxe

Tackling Resistance to New Technology

In a recent project at Riveraxe LLC, we tackled a challenging EHR system implementation for a government healthcare provider. 

The strategic importance of HR became evident when our team faced resistance to the new technology from staff used to paper records. 

By engaging the HR team early, we designed a custom training program custom to different roles, which significantly improved acceptance and minimized disruptions.

This situation reminded me how critical communication and support from HR are in facilitating change management. They helped us identify tech-savvy employees who could act as internal champions, further smoothing the transition. 

For others implementing new tech, leveraging HR insights to customize training and foster internal advocacy can make all the difference.

Guillaume Drew
Founder, Or & Zon

Strategizing to Improve Interaction and Cooperation

A recent workforce challenge at Or & Zon truly underscored the strategic importance of our HR team. 

Amid the rapid scaling of our e-commerce platform, we faced a surge in cross-functional miscommunications between our design, supply chain, and customer service teams. Deadlines were slipping, and morale was dipping—a potential recipe for disaster in a fast-paced environment.

Our HR department acted as genuine strategists, conducting interdepartmental workshops to improve interaction and cooperation. They also came up with a solution to establish an anonymous feedback system for raising grievances. In a matter of weeks, however, the strain eased and productivity was restored. 

This experience made me remember that HR is not only about recruitment or provision of benefits, it’s about dealing with people and issues, and building the foundation for expansion. The contribution that they made for this case was significant.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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HR to the Rescue: Real-World Examples of the Value of an HR Team

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HR to the Rescue: Real-World Examples of the Value of an HR Team

The quandary of an HR team is how it is often perceived to be a department that only handles paperwork, onboarding, and the rare office conflict.

Well, anyone who has worked closely with an HR team will tell you there’s a lot more to it, and those who work in one will downright get annoyed over how someone could think so little of them!

For this post, we reached out to HR and business leaders to help us break these stereotypes with the help of real-world examples of an HR team’s role in solving critical workplace issues. The responses we received were, of course, right in line with our notion of proclaiming HR personnel no less than workplace heroes!

Read on!

Khurram Mir
Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Kualitatem Inc

Supported During Restructuring

I remember a time during organisational restructuring at my most recent job where the HR department was helpful.

Workers were unsure of their responsibilities, job safety, and how the changes might affect them.

In order to provide support through transition services like career counselling and resume-building workshops, the HR team took the initiative to set up one-on-one meetings and communicate the changes clearly.

In addition to reducing worry, this made sure that workers felt appreciated and informed at every stage of the procedure.

During a difficult period, the HR team’s proactive approach to resource provision and communication management significantly improved engagement and morale.

Aghiad Kandar DDS
Chief Executive Officer, UNO DENTAL SAN FRANCISCO

Facilitated Paperless Transition

Our HR team was crucial when we transitioned to paperless charting.

This change required not only new software but also training and adaptation from our team. HR facilitated seamless communication and training sessions, ensuring that the transition was smooth and met with minimal resistance.

Another instance was during our community outreach initiatives, like the Mission of Mercy.

HR coordinated volunteer efforts, managed logistics, and ensured compliance with healthcare regulations. Their involvement allowed us to provide essential dental care to underserved populations without administrative hitches.

HR’s role in fostering collaboration among our dental hygienists and team members also stands out.

They implemented team-building activities and regular feedback sessions, which improved workflow efficiency and patient care quality by 30%.

Their strategic initiatives have been pivotal in maintaining a cohesive and productive work environment.

Karie Droge
HR Manager, Perrin Sportswear

Reduced Medical Insurance Premiums

After receiving double-digit premium increases for our medical insurance multiple years in a row, the HR team knew we needed to do something different.

We switched carriers, started offering HSA plans for the first time in the company’s history, provided extensive education on the advantages of enrolling in the HSA plan, and finally, we implemented an on-site medical clinic that is available to all employees and covered spouses.

While we are still experiencing higher than desired premiums, they were significantly less this year than they might have been had we not taken these measures.

HR was instrumental in educating ourselves on our options, making the right selections for our team, and then communicating everything to the workforce.

Dan Brown
CEO & Founder, Textun

Assisted Remote Work Transition

As COVID-19 hit, the HR team was incredibly valuable in helping everyone adjust to the transition.

The HR team helped us move to a remote workforce, researched different laws for remote work (our team is international) to ensure we were compliant, and organized additional training for people who needed it on navigating the technology we were using.

The HR team was also vital in keeping spirits up during lockdowns, making sure to check in with team members and helping people get time off when they got sick. Thanks to them, we were able to maintain our productivity.

Sheraz Ali
Founder & CEO, HARO Links Builder

Managed Restructuring Communication

In my most recent workplace, there was a significant instance where the HR team played a crucial role during a company-wide restructuring.

As the organization faced changes in management and departmental shifts, the HR team stepped in to facilitate clear communication and support for all employees.

They organized informational sessions to explain the changes, address concerns, and outline new roles and responsibilities.

The HR team also implemented one-on-one check-ins for employees who were directly affected by the restructuring.

This personalized approach helped individuals feel valued and supported during a potentially stressful time. They provided resources for career development and offered counseling services to help staff navigate their emotions and uncertainties.

This proactive involvement not only fostered a sense of stability but also promoted a culture of transparency and trust within the organization.

The HR team’s efforts were instrumental in ensuring that employees felt informed and supported, ultimately contributing to a smoother transition during a challenging period.

Abdullah Saleem
Founder & CEO, Plumbing Amarillo TX

Stepped Up During Boss’s Vacation

I really felt the HR team’s importance when my boss went on vacation.

Suddenly, all those little approvals and quick questions we’d normally take to them needed someone else to handle.

HR stepped up immediately, taking charge of the situation.

Their proactive approach not only kept everything on track but also made us feel supported.

It really showed how crucial HR is in keeping the workplace running smoothly, even during unexpected situations.

Moe Shariff
Business Owner, American S.E.A.L Patrol Division LLC

Crucial in Security Expansion

In my role at American S.E.A.L. Patrol Division, the HR team’s importance became crystal clear when we expanded our private event security services.

As we rolled out customized security plans for events, HR played a vital role by recruiting personnel skilled in access control and crowd management. This meticulous hiring was critical to maintaining our reputation for providing discrete yet effective security solutions.

One standout example was during a large tech conference in Austin.

Our HR team expertly managed the onboarding of temporary staff, ensuring everyone was trained in using our cutting-edge communication technology. This seamless integration allowed our team to address potential disturbances swiftly, enhancing event security and client satisfaction.

Additionally, HR’s efforts in ongoing training programs have been instrumental in our success.

These programs ensure our personnel are prepared for any scenario, such as rapid emergency response during fire watch duties. The training has consistently improved our service quality, directly impacting client trust and retention.

The HR Spotlight team thanks these industry leaders for offering their expertise and experience and sharing their insights.

Do you wish to contribute to the next HR Spotlight article? Or is there an insight or idea you’d like to share with readers across the globe?

Write to us at connect@HRSpotlight.com, and our team will help you share your insights.

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