Sorry, HR. You Don’t Get Any Friends At Work

Interview with Suzanne Lucas

What have been the major problems for HR over the last year?

No group had as complicated a year as HR people. Suddenly, every policy and practice we supported changed. Employment laws went cray. HR had to keep up with everything while supporting a scared staff and panicked managers. It's amazing we survied.

What are legal challenges which only came up with home office?

Can you legally keep someone on as an employee who is working from home, when they decide that home is a different country? What expenses must the company cover? Internet? Rent? Are people eligible for unemployment payments when there is work available, but they do not feel safe working with others (or their doctor has recommended they stay home)? These are all new questions that popped up overnight!

How will the HR landscape change following the global pandemic?

While countries slammed their borders shut, employees returned to their home countries with their laptops. WIll they be back? Will people want to return to the office when everyone is cleared to do so or will it be a battle? We learned what agile looked like in 2020 as everyone had to change their business models? Can we really go back to the old models? These are the battles HR will be fighting as we come out of this pandemic.

What would like to say to HR managers trying to figure it all out?

Even if you are a solo HR practitioner, you're not alone! There are other people out there who want to help you and collaborate with you. Don't pass up your opportunity to network with other HR professionals. We are all there to help each other. 

About Suzanne Lucas

Suzanne Lucas spent 10 years in corporate HR, where she hired, fired, managed the numbers, and double-checked with the lawyers. She left that world to focus on helping others be the best they can be through webinars, in-person training, and keynote speeches, in addition to writing about HR. 

Suzanne is recognized as one of the top influencers in Human Resources. You can find her writings and advice all over the internet with her archives at Evil HR Lady. You can join with 6000+ global HR professionals at the Evil HR Lady Facebook group, to collaborate and share. You can also watch some of her speeches on her website or follow her video show The Real HR Show.

About DisruptHR

"Teach us something but do it quick" - DisruptHR presents inspiring speakers worldwide who question the status quo and look to the future with their ideas. 

SPOT ON organizes this exciting format in Zurich and brings HR enthusiasts together.