From the article: Memorable Firsts in Human Resources Management
Whether you are a manager, a business owner, or a Human Resources staff person, you have to start somewhere in your firsts with people. Your first hire, your first disciplinary issue, your first loss of a valued employee all leave a memorable impression. Share your memorable Human Resources Management firsts. See More Reader Responses. Share yours...
The first time I experienced a pandemic
- Some time ago the Swine Flu appeared in Argentina, so we started to take some measures at the company. But the problem continues and the panic was everywhere. That means, now I am an expert in Swine flu! We had to restructure the work, so half of the employees are working from home and the other half are working with masks, washing their hands all the time, etc. I've never imagined that an HR position involves: being a doctor, a mother, an assistant...But I know one thing, I love my work, and there is no pandemic that could change it.
- —Guest marinap
Different Countries - Different Laws
- An employee from another country came to me to report that she knew that several of her countrymen were stealing our products. She wanted me to call the police and go to their homes to put them in jail and take back our products. She said that if I searched their house, she was sure we’d find our products. I explained that in the US, we need to have proof that employees are stealing to go to their homes and arrest them. She said that in her country, they’d already be in jail. She became very angry and laid down on the floor howling and screaming and kicking the wall in frustration. The entire company came running to see whether I was in trouble (or what I was doing to torture this poor employee) and face after face peaked in my window. I waved them all away and was able to comfort the employee who went back to work. (We were able to prove the employees were stealing and they were all eventually fired.) I’m happy I live in the US, even if some situations are more difficult.
- —Guest Marie
The first time I let someone go..
- I hired a guy for a remote, free-lancing job. He submitted a great writing sample and the phone interview went well. But a month in, he hadn't done any work at all despite repeated reminders. I anguished about it -- and sent many more emails -- for the next month, then finally made the decision that he had to go. I called him up and he was very nice about it, especially when he learned that he wouldn't have to return the small amount of money he'd already been paid. I look back and marvel at how green I was, and I can see how much I've learned along the way about what's right versus what's nice.
- —Guest SusanH
