Opinion: The trouble with HR

These tough economic conditions can be challenging for HR professionals, with cut backs and redundancies top of the agenda at the moment. But who looks after the wellbeing of HR during these difficult times? Wendy Reeves provides some coaching advice for the weary HR executive.

As a former HR manager, and latterly in my employment as an HR director, I know only too well the pressures and the difficult assignments that befall the corporate HR department.

The key function of good HR is to provide a service to the organisation and its staff. The workforce, from the top to the bottom, need to be treated as 'the customer', supporting and delivering to that customer as required. I have always believed in HR operating an 'open door' policy to anyone within the organisation. An accessible and visible HR department creates trust, confidence, and cohesion.