How to handle HR Professional Role in Start Up - being ignored by HR Head and no proper HR practices

Hello Professionals,

I need your valuable advice to handle the HR Professional role in a start-up. Currently, I'm working as a Plant HR Executive. I joined this company because I thought I could get a good leader and learn many things, and it will give me exposure to various HR fields. Most of the employees working here do not seem to be professionals or known persons; they are either relatives of the respective team head or were hired through referrals.

On the day of my interview and appointment, the hiring head asked several questions about the drawbacks of the HR system in the organization. My HR Head is located at the Head office, and I am at the Plant to take care of all HR activities. After joining the office, I reviewed all the documents and reported to my reporting HR Head within a week. However, after reviewing the report, his behavior towards me was not good, and he started to ignore me. Despite my attempts to address this ignorance, he did not provide any induction regarding work or hand over any documents at the plant. Grievances reported or permissions requested are consistently delayed and ignored, indicating a lack of proper HR practices. I feel like I am simply wasting my time here, as I have only 3 hours of daily routine work that I have set for myself. I have received only ignorance and delays in any work, leaving me feeling completely guilty, as I could have spent this time reading labor laws and magazines.

Dear Professionals, please guide me on how to tackle such a situation.

Hello,

You should first talk to your HR Head and understand the reason for their ignorance. You can talk to other friendly colleagues there who know the history of the company and other members of the HR department. Once you have the complete background of the situation, you will be able to understand the reason for their ignorance. You can then deal with it tactfully. It is not a good idea to displease your immediate bosses in the initial months. Try to sort out the matter with a discussion.

Regards,
Deniel J.

Dear member,

Your designation is Plant HR Executive. Do you have dual reporting to the Plant Head as well? To what extent will that person be able to help you with your HR initiatives? If he is supportive, then you may leverage his support to bring about a positive change. However, ensure that all directives are issued from the Plant Head under his signature. If your HR Head raises objections, you may direct him to discuss the matter with the Plant Head.

While this approach may have some risks, remember that the Plant Head holds the final decision-making authority, and he is expected to have significant influence over the HR Head. Proceed with caution.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear Colleague,

In the absence of any knowledge about the business of your company, your role responsibilities, the number of workers, supervisors, and managers at the plant, it is not possible to offer worthwhile suggestions.

For your frustration, which is understandable, just as your HR boss is responsible, so are you. Neither you nor your boss appears to be clear about your role and what is expected of you.

You need to meet your boss and have a candid discussion on this. Also, discuss the important areas of work you have identified where you can make a distinct contribution.

Eyeball to eyeball, frank talk between the two of you may pave the way to resolve this conflicting situation.

Regards,

Vinayak Nagarkar
HR and Employee Relations Consultant