Human Resources

Like any other department that provides services within a university (e.g. information technology, cleaners, facilities management), Human Resources (HR) is there to help your department carry out its role.

For staff members with employment problems of their own, therefore, I believe there are a few points to consider:

• HR may be reluctant to provide advice to you that's inconsistent with what your boss regards as the necessary outcome for your department. (It appears to me that fairness often takes a backseat to cost savings, speed and administrative expedience.)
  
• But even if HR recommended an arrangement favourable to you, your boss may not agree. (I doubt that HR would tell you that.)
• HR's interpretations of the relevant industrial instruments (agreements, awards, legislation, policies) may differ from those of the Union. (It appears to me that HR's interpretations are often less advantageous to staff than the Union's.)
  

Don't misunderstand, this isn't about HR staff — just like you and me they're simply doing the jobs they were hired to do.

If it appears that you may have a disagreement with your boss or your department, then I suggest that you first contact the Union. Then, if HR needs to be contacted the Union can do that.

(So, if you're not in the Union — join.) ▪

Perspective is worth 80 IQ points.
—Alan Kay (b. 1940)