Question: How Can You Give Your HR Manager a Conniption?

Answer: Tell her a new requirement could mean it'll take you 2-3 weeks to clear applicants for hire . . . and then tell her like this:

Email: It may soon take us 2-3 weeks to clear applicants for hire.

HR reply: 2-3 weeks or 2-3 days? It takes you 1 day now.  

Response: 2-3 weeks.                                                               

HR reply: That's a major problem.

Response (wait for it, wait for it): Out of my control.

HR Manager is seething. Can you get why? Yes, the absolute lack of ownership, responsibility, and  understanding portrayed in the four words, "out of my control." It's really not the possible 2-3 week delay because no HR Manager worth her weight in gold is going to let anyone or anything add 2-3 weeks to her hiring process - and that's a given.

Holy smokes folks, don't communicate this way. Just don't. Get it or move on. We've got things to do and you are only in the way.

The HR Carnival is Coming

The Carnival of HR is making the rounds and will be here for the January 20th edition. What have you got to share? Email me some info (title, url and 1-2 sentence overview) on one of your best recent posts on HR or management issues by Sunday, January 17 and I'll get it in.

Wondering where the Carnival of HR is traveling in 2010, check out the Carnival of HR schedule. If you would like to be added to the Carnival email reminder list, send an email to HR Minion. We're always looking for new hosts, so let HR Minion know if you want to host.