| This article relates to the Human Resource Functions | | | | lunchroom complaints abut nasty attitude over the |
| competency, commonly evaluated in employee | | | | years, but had no reason to expect a problem in this |
| satisfaction surveys. It reflects one employee's | | | | situation. Still, I was nervous. |
| satisfaction with the manner in which her HR | | | | I needn't have been. Julie was kind, helpful, and very |
| department carried out their work. This competency | | | | efficient. She had a broad base of knowledge about |
| examines how your employees feel with regards to | | | | my benefit programs and the sequence of procedures |
| the quality and implementation of the human resource | | | | that I should follow. There were a few areas that |
| role within your organization. A human resource | | | | seemed questionable, but she promised to get |
| department that is properly informed of employee | | | | answers and get back to me. She fulfilled that promise |
| issues, demonstrates a high integrity level, and | | | | quickly and efficiently. |
| communicates effectively with staff and management | | | | Over the next few weeks, which proved to be a |
| should expect a high satisfaction level in this | | | | trying period, Julie was always there for me. She |
| competency area. | | | | helped me process paperwork, contacted the proper |
| This short story, Human Resources at Work, is part of | | | | home office departments on my behalf, and did |
| AlphaMeasure's compilation, Tales From the Corporate | | | | everything she could to minimize the stress involved in |
| Frontlines. It illustrates how a competent, | | | | my recovery. "You just concentrate on getting better, |
| compassionate staff can perform their HR functions | | | | I'll take care of everything at this end", she would say |
| and really make a difference in the lives of employees, | | | | to me whenever things got too confusing. She really |
| creating goodwill that spreads throughout the | | | | understood my distraction and took over for me when |
| workplace. | | | | I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm sure there were times when |
| Anonymous Submission: Human Resources at Work | | | | another person would have lost her cool and become |
| I've worked at a few different companies, and never | | | | frustrated, but Julie never did. |
| had much interaction with human resources | | | | I recently returned to work after a long rehabilitation |
| departments, other than hiring and benefits enrollment | | | | period. I'm feeling much better now, and see and speak |
| paperwork. | | | | to Julie less often. When I think of the people who |
| I'd like to tell you about one staff member who really | | | | were most responsible for helping me to recover, I |
| made a difference in my life. Stricken with a sudden | | | | always think of her. She took responsibility to assist |
| and very debilitating sickness, I was completely | | | | me, and did a fantastic job. She knew how to handle |
| confused about my benefits and responsibilities with | | | | my issues, and was masterful at effective |
| regard to time off for treatment, and the coverage | | | | communication. Julie is an asset to our human |
| provided by my company-paid health insurance plan. I'd | | | | resources department, and reached the standard that I |
| rarely even been sick before, and never hospitalized. | | | | believe all professionals in this field should strive for. |
| I called work from my hospital bed to tell my manager | | | | © 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved |
| what had happened. I asked a few questions about | | | | This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in |
| my options and he told me he hadn't a clue---and | | | | its entirety, includesthe author bio information, and all |
| offered to transfer my call to the HR department. I | | | | links remain active. |
| really didn't know what to expect. I had heard some | | | | |