What should HR professionals not apologize for?

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HR professionals often apologize for things that they could not influence or that they did legitimately but the people around them forced them to feel guilt for it. Such excuses then undermine their authority. What should HRs stop apologizing for? Tim Sackett, experienced American HR professional and popular speaker, advises on TLNT.com not to excuse when:

1. Somebody is being fired

Do not apologize for dismissing employees who were bad in their work or violated company rules.

2. Somebodyis not promoted

Do not apologize for not promoting employees. Rather offer development plans so that they could be promoted in the future.

3. Somebody does not like his boss, his job, his salary, etc.

Do not apologize to employees for their own decisions to work for you. If you offered them an interesting and challenging work, a solid manager and a good salary, it is up to them whether it makes them happy. You cannot force them.

HR professionals should be prepared to apologize for things they can control and fail to ensure employee satisfaction in these things by their own mistake. They should also be able to apologize for surprises because their job is to ensure that employees would not be surprised - at least negatively.

-kk-

Article source TLNT - a U.S. blog for human resource and talent management leaders
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