How we respond to perceived slights by other people tends to depend to a large extent on whether we believe those slights are deliberate, or even understandable, or not. That’s fairly well established on an individual level, but does the same apply at an organizational level?
That was the question posed by a recent study examining whether HR helps or hinders employee engagement levels. The study was designed to gauge from employees whether they thought HR was there to help boost performance levels or to reduce costs.
The perception we have of HR matters, for quite obvious reasons. If we believe that they exist to help and support us improve as individuals, then that’s almost inevitably going to result in higher performance and engagement levels.
On the other hand, if we believe that HR exists to reduce costs, it creates an altogether more negative environment whereby employees believe HR is a hurdle to overcome rather than a supportive element in their work.
The authors wanted to test just how influential this perception of HR was to the overall wellbeing of employees.
HR and wellbeing
When employees at a construction company were quizzed, they discovered an understandable correlation between ones view of HR and their enjoyment of the job. Whilst the findings in themselves should come as no real surprise, they do nonetheless underline the importance both of having the right purpose for your HR team to begin with, and then ensuring that this purpose is well communicated to employees.
After all, the study showed that the perception of HR was just as powerful as the reality of HR, so communication can play a crucial role in managing that perception.
Of course, the findings do fall into the trap of assuming that increasing performance and reducing costs cannot be achieved at the same time, and indeed many HR teams may try and achieve both. In such a circumstance, the authors don’t advocate denying the cost side of the equation, but rather to be honest and upfront with employees about the state of play.
All of which hopefully provides some food for thought for you and your HR team.
