Readers continue to ask interesting questions. I'd sure like to know how you'd respond to this question.
Reader Question: I'm looking for some help in answering a question. I'm new to HR and recently have been getting alot of negative responses from a friend of mine (who is a doctor) about how how we in HR shouldn't be called professionals and how we aren't on par with other professionals such as doctors and lawyers.
I have said that there are similarities to other professionals because the decisions that we make help to determine people's futures. What are your views on this? Do you think that there are similarities or differences? I'm feeling frustrated with this lately and want to hear what other people have to say.
My Response: I would like to hear what others have to say, too. Interesting question. I think of HR people as professionals. Especially those with a bachelors and / or masters degree. Certainly, they are as credentialed as people in many fields. HR is a profession. I actually think of managers as professionals, too. And, who is to say that the individual who provides customer service support to her clients is not a professional? I think your friend is using too narrow of an interpretation of the term.
What he is talking about are professions that require advanced graduate studies and internships in preparation for the degree. Often these professions require a ticket like a test or residency. SHRM, with the certifications PHR and SPHR, is trying to rectify this situation so that people like your friend cease their annoying commentary.
I also think that some agreed upon and expected standards in terms of a degree, as was also discussed yesterday, might help. But, as long as so many disagree with me, if you note yesterday's poll results, I'm not sure where we go with this one?
What does anyone else think? Are Human Resources staff professionals?
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Technically, a profession was identified by the existence of, and the requirement to belong to, a professional body that regulates behaviour.
Nowadays the term is used more loosely (which rather irks the doctors and lawyers etc.) and is more difficult to pin down.
Of course “the oldest profession” has always been called that without any professional body regulating it……