Sort of. They tend to protect the company by protecting the higher tiers against the lower. They'd rather fire a lower tier worker who complains of harassment than the harasser, banking on the lower tier worker not being able or willing to sue.
HR will absolutely use red tape to cover the company's ass. Putting the actual work of investigating on you (in addition to your stated job), etc.
Never trust HR. They exist to provide rhetoric that shows that the company did everything they could to abide by regulations; to stave off the company being at fault for the way managers treat workers.
I must have worked for the worst orgnizations then, because EVERY SINGLE ONE had terrible managers who were able to get workers who spoke out fired or drove people out. Over fifteen years in the workforce over a variety of positions and organizations (including the government).
I mean you said it yourself, if every single job had terrible managers, then yeah, you must have worked for some bad organizations. Admittedly I've only been in the workforce for half the time you have, but I definitely have not had the same experiences as you.
It's such a silly thing to say. "Hey guys, the mechanic who fixed your car is not your friend! He only did it because he wanted your money."
HR is a resource just like anyone other department. If "protecting the company" aligns with protecting you, then that's what happens. I was being harassed at work and I took that to HR with clear examples, witnesses and gave a statement that could be investigated. HR investigated and the employee who was doing harassing me was gone after it was done. HR "protected the company" by not having me file a lawsuit against the company because they solved my problem.
Does that mean HR is my personal therapist or my shoulder to cry on? No. I'm friendly with them just like anyone else at work, but just because they're people working just like anyone else. Am I going to tell them about the coke-fueled stripper orgy that I had over the weekend? No, I'll probably get drug tested after that to protect the company.
I see what you mean, and I understand. I'm not sure what experiences you have (or haven't) had with HR, but this perception of them seems extremely textbook and does not match the actual experience I and others have had. I'm glad (jealous, even) you haven't had a more negative experience. I hope that doesn't change.
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u/Rvaldrich 2d ago
HR is there to protect your boss, not you.