Well we did it!  We made it through to the end of the year having just finished putting a wrap on the last HR item for 2007.  As I look around everyone is exhausted, grumpy, spent, sleep deprived etc.  You name it they are feeling it.  It is like we just survived (barely) the storm.  Team feels the effects of the storm and the office shows the storms path.  We exit 2007 running home for a brief holiday respite swearing 2008 will be different. 

Sound familiar?  I have often said that HR departments should get a couple of extra days off for the end of the year holidays.  Think about it.  It seems as though all other departments hit cruise control well before the end of the year if not throttle back altoghether compared to HR.  HR personnel meanwhile are running around as if they are trying to herd cats.  Gathering Performance Reviews, requesting compensation decisions, finalizing open enrollment etc. etc. Spending way to much time trying to corral the notorious stragglers and handholding countless others who don't know the various processes because they have not looked at, or thought about for 364 days.  Now their problem or procastination has become HR's priority.  Reality right? 

In the employees defense (Leaders and Individual Contributors) the pieces of the process do not make sense and/or are not clearly connected, not easy.  You pick the verbiage you've heard them all.  Their right!  From Human Resources point of view you are frantically pulling and pasting from various reports paper or otherwise to compile yet another report for leadership to look at trends(although it is probably too late to make a difference) and make decisions. HR is the keeper of the great "personnel funnel."

How often do organizations really stop and look at the inefficiency and wasted time and money from this organized chaotic approach?  But how many times do organizations say they will (usually this time of year) seek improvements?  My experience has been while many organizations will say it few actually get it done. 

Hoping the best for you in 2008!


Happy New Year,

Joe

Joe Barrett
VP of Sales
Achievant