Pester Esther
Should HR have cuddly toys on their desks? And more
Q. Is it permissible for an HR Manager to have cuddly toys on her desk?
A. No! Cuddly toys are just dust bunnies. Unless you work for a toy company that actually makes the things, steer clear. My rule has always been: keep desks clear of personal things as much as possible. It’s your workspace, not your bedroom.
I suggest you review your office policy, and maybe limit personal items to just a photograph or two. Maybe get your HRM to review the policy herself – give her some examples of what other companies do as best practice. Failing that, you could organise a general office clear out and suggest people donate their desk items (i.e. cuddly toys) to charity. That way, she gets to feel good and a clear desk too.
Q. Why do people laugh when I talk about ‘HR ethics’?
A. Ha! Really, that’s not been my experience.
Maybe the people you’re having conversations with have poor experience of HR. Maybe in their organisations, HR just fires people indiscriminately, doesn’t care how people behave, and allows managers to ignore policies and get away with poor treatment of employees.
If this was my experience, then yes –I think I’d laugh too. It may be worth suggesting to the people who laugh that their HR teams read the CIPD Code of Professional Conduct. That’s a very clear, simple set of ethical standards that all HR professionals should abide by.
HR ethics is about treating employees well, building trust and loyalty that of course brings great benefits to any organisation. I know which organisation I’d want to work with: one that is ethical in its treatment of people and where I felt valued, not one where HR is laughed at.
Q. We’ve just had a massive re-organisation, and my manager is now in Paris. (He’s French, too.) Any tips on bridging the international divide?
Having worked for a French company for many years, I sometimes found it quicker to jump on the Eurostar than to commute into London!
There are a few things you might want to consider doing. In particular, learn some basic French (possibly a refresher, as most of us did French in school), ideally focusing on simple greetings, business terms and etiquette.
You can do this online or in a classroom. (It might be worth suggesting that you arrange for a number of people in the team to do this together, and get the organisation to pay for a tutor.) I used to open and close my email greeting to people in French, (Bonjour, Cordialement, etc.). It’s just a simple thing that is appreciated. Also, set up a weekly Skype meeting so you can have a 1:1 update, actually looking at each other.
Some other cultural points to remember: the French are very good at actually taking a lunch break (unlike the British), so don’t try to arrange meetings or conference calls at lunchtime. In my experience Paris almost shuts down in August for the summer break, so don’t expect your manager to be around then either.
I suggest you vary meeting locations: you go to Paris sometimes, and get him to come to London at others. That way, you’ll get to meet other people in the organisation and build relationships.
It ‘s not that much of an International divide, really. It’s more a question of appreciating different cultural nuances. Amusez vous et bonne chance!
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