The Hardest Part Of Working in HR: Confessions From HR Professionals

Working in HR is both rewarding and stressful, at the same time.

As an HR professional, you are an enabler of change, emotional caregiver and value creator who helps people thrive and win.

It is truly gratifying to help launch a newbie’s career, see the smile on someone’s face when you tell them they have been hired, help people get health insurance plans and even empower employees with new skills through training.

However, some aspects of HR can be extremely stressful and difficult.

This is what 3 seasoned HR professionals had to say about their hardest experiences working in HR.

Firing an employee

“I made a man cry when I fired him due to sexual harassment complaints levelled against him by a co-worker…. only to find out later that these allegations were false.

In my previous role, I spent sleepless nights crying and stressing out over the plight of the 26 employees I had to let go during a massive layoff.

I devised 15 alternative plans and strategies detailing how and why they should be retained but eventually I had no option but to dismiss them as ordered.

Every time I get to see the happiness on someone’s face when I tell them they have been hired or promoted, I am overjoyed.

However, it is truly disheartening to take away someone’s source of livelihood for whatever reason.”

Mbithi, Human Resource Officer

Recruiting top talent

“My biggest HR nightmare is recruitment because it is not only extremely time-consuming but my judgment is usually wrong at least 25% of the time.

For a single job advertisement, I get over 10000 applications for a job which can qualify only one person.

Going through the piles of CV and cover letters in my email and sometimes on my desk can be extremely daunting.

Even when shortlisting candidates, there is always a fear in the back of my mind that I might have overlooked or eliminated the best candidate.

And sometimes, these fears come true when the candidate I select proves to be incompetent or quits and I have to begin the whole recruitment process all over again – expending time, energy and money to a new recruitment process.”

Veronicah, Recruitment Manager 

Unreasonable lawsuits 

“No HR wants to sit across the table with a lawyer to negotiate costly settlements, or, sit in a witness stand to be cross-examined in a case of employee harassment, discrimination or wrongful termination.

For me, lawsuits are the hardest part of working in HR.

Having worked in the manufacturing industry for the longest time, I have been a witness, a defender and an advocate of multiple employees generated lawsuits brought about by employee injuries, sexual harassment, discrimination and even overtime.

However, my worst experience has been dealing with employees who file false and unreasonable lawsuits simply because they want to take advantage of the company or other employees. Such cases are not only emotionally draining and tedious but extremely infuriating and unethical.”

Bernard, HR Manager

What is your hardest experience working in HR?

Share your experiences and learn from others at the next Practical HR Skills Training