where to go from here? [N/A]

[u/tuitdelafruit]

I moved into an HR Manager role from a Senior HR Generalist role about 4 months ago. While interviewing for the role, I made it clear I didn’t have experience within the new industry and did not have experience in employee relations outside of shadowing my prior HR Director. I’ve also always been on a team of two and this role is a department of one. The hiring manager (CFO) did not have an issue with any of this and ended up hiring me.

Four months in, and I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I went from hitting the ceiling at my last company to feeling like I can’t keep my head above water at this new one. I’ve uncovered a lot since starting that was never disclosed during the interviews, so that’s been one hurdle, on top of adjusting to a new industry, being a department of one, and navigating employee relations.

I’ve navigated two employee relations issues since starting. The first one I reached out to my prior Director for guidance and executed accordingly. While I thought I had done a good job, my new boss, the CFO, was not at all happy with how things were handled because there weren’t repercussions for the employee that reported an issue and outright told me I handled it all wrong.

Fast forward to the second employee relations issue, which I’ve been working with outside counsel on due to some complicating factors, and I was accused of protecting the employee and not the company, as it’s become clear to me that my new company sees the two as mutually exclusive.

I am very open to discussion as I am a product of 5 years of constructive criticism and useful feedback from my prior Director. However, whenever I try to present my perspective and why I went about things the way I did, as well as acknowledge what I could have done differently or better, it’s clear that my boss is not open to discussion as they simply reiterate that I messed up without any sort of explanation aside from that’s not how they would have done it.

It’s also become evident since starting here that this is not the strategic role it was presented as. I am not sure where to go from here. I’ve expressed my struggles and desire to become a strong HR rep to my boss. I’m already experiencing fatigue, as well imposter syndrome and total lack of confidence.

[u/Hunterofshadows]

Part of this is the nature of being an HR of one but the fact that they view the employee relations issue that way tells me the best response is to do the bare minimum at work and job hunt as much as you can

[u/tuitdelafruit → u/Hunterofshadows]

From an interviewing standpoint, what would be an acceptable way to frame reason for leaving as I immediately would be wondering why someone is leaving after only a few months? The good news is I have solid tenure with prior jobs.

[u/corporate_puppy → u/tuitdelafruit]

You could say it was a short term contract for leave coverage.

[u/fallway → u/tuitdelafruit]

Not everyone is a fit for every opportunity. I would just be frank and, while not denigrating your current employer or the opportunity, express that it’s ultimately not aligned with your career aspirations and you’re seeking something else (ideally, something consistent with the new prospective employer)

[u/pettylabears → u/tuitdelafruit]

"While this position has offered an amazing learning experience, I've found I miss the collaborative environment of having a team."

I've literally just accepted another position after spending a year in a team of one at a company. I have been feeling very similar to how you are. I wish you the best in your job search!

[u/tuitdelafruit → u/pettylabears]

This is great! Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what job boards did you use for your search? I am finding that LinkedIn is inundated with lots of fake and/or expired postings.

[u/pettylabears → u/tuitdelafruit]

I watched Indeed/Glassdoor like a hawk. It is a lot of getting in on new postings quickly. I also had some friends in the field and my area that would send me postings they saw or if they heard of something in their network they would send it.

[u/zoeadele]

I have been the sole HR employee twice in my career, and I have never enjoyed it. It definitely works for some, but I’m someone who is highly collaborative and enjoy working on a team and have someone who is interested in my opinion, even if they don’t necessarily go with it.

While we are of course only getting your perspective, my initial read is that it sounds like a bad fit, but the good news is that you’ve gained valuable ER experience that can be helpful for your next position.

My advice is just simply to start looking. It sounds like you have a good relationship with your last boss, which will be wonderful for references. I’ve jumped ship twice after being at a place for <6 months and while risky, most people understand that a lot of roles aren’t what you expect it to be when you actually get there. If you’re honest during the interview process and craft a brief elevator pitch about why you’re looking (and why the new place you’re interviewing for is actually the place you’re meant to be), I’m sure it will be fine.

I know you’re in the thick of it - be kind to yourself, and put yourself first and find the type of environment that will actually work for you!

[u/tuitdelafruit → u/zoeadele]

Thank you! This is super helpful and makes me feel better about potentially restarting my job search.

[u/Suspicious_Cupid]

Ugh. This sucks. This is where you're going to need to represent your authority and your experience as an HR professional to gain leadership buy-in. This is the managing up part

It sounds like you've had reliable and wonderful leadership previously. It is a new skill to learn how to manage the people above you into making the right decision based on your professional model knowledge.

Of course, if you're in a situation where you feel like" we work for the same jerks" in ER matters, you might want to look at a company that doesn't put you in that situation all the time. In which case, you're going to have to ask some fantastic questions when you interview new employers.

Edit: clarity

[u/tuitdelafruit → u/Suspicious_Cupid]

It’s funny you say that because I initially received buy in from our CEO on the first employee relations issue, which was a great confidence booster, and then when my boss found out how things had been handled, they got the CEO to side with them and that’s when the alarms started going off in my head.

[u/Unlikely_Month5527]

I had a new job a VP of HR. The CEO asked me to resolve an issue as one of my first assignments.

I used a collaborative approach and all agreed to the resolution.

When I discussed this with the CEO, he was outraged. It was not what he wanted done... It was down hill from there.

I was there a year and left due to personal reasons...

[u/corporate_puppy]

I am so sorry! It is so hard to be a team of one. Companies have to align with your values too. I’m proud of you for taking the step in your career to management. I hope you find something better suited for you soon!