#WorkCulture #NewJob #TeamBuilding #HRChallenges #CareerGrowth
Hey everyone! š So I just started a new gig as a generalist a few weeks back, and I was really excited to jump in and help build the department. The tricky part? Before me, it was just my manager, who, by the way, is super supportive and also new! However, the company has been through a ton of changes lately and is facing even more in the coming months.
Initially, I thought it would be a fun opportunity to shape the work cultureāyet here I am, just three weeks in, feeling like the vibe is pretty dismal. š¬ The team feels unfriendly and trying to figure out ways to improve the culture feels more draining than energizing. I totally get that change can make people feel wary. They’ve been through a lot, and trust issues are expected. But Iām at a crossroads: should I invest my energy to build relationships, or is it time to pack up and leave?
š Iām not looking for everyone to be my buddy; I know being in HR can put a target on our backs sometimes! But honestly, the culture feels deeply bruised. Hereās what I think could be going on:
- Change Fatigue: When a workplace is constantly shifting, it can lead to a sense of instability. Employees might feel hesitant to invest emotionally.
- Lack of Trust: Past experiences often lead to distrust, especially when teams have been through layoffs or restructuring.
- Isolation: New team members might feel excluded, making it harder to build a supportive network.
As for solutions, here are a few thoughts:
- **Start Small:** Maybe have informal chats or coffee breaks to connect with colleagues. Just a friendly face can help break the ice!
- **Be Transparent:** Share your intentions openly; sometimes showing vulnerability can open pathways for others to do the same.
- **Seek Feedback:** Encourage input on what people feel is missing in the culture, and brainstorm together on how to improve it.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt the work culture was just too āmessed upā to even think about rebuilding? What did you do? Or do you have any tips to share? Letās get the conversation going! š¬
Yeah I became HR Manager at a hotel. Department of one. It had been purchased by another hotel that had always had HR. They were essentially going to be independent hotels, no overlap but the ownership. I met the woman who had been moved over from the āparent companyā hotel who had handled HR after the acquisition, before my hiring. She flat out said āthis is gonna be a struggleā. Iād down acquisitions, I know they can be rough so I figured that was why her reaction was that.
Nope.
Everyone there essentially said āfuck off, youāre just gonna tell us what to do. You just wanna ruin our funā. I found sooo many things in my short time there that was gonna be serious issues down the road.
I lasted for about a month before I said this isnāt worth the strain on my health itās already causing
Yep. There āwasnātā an hr dept at my current job before I started (long story), and then I was brought in to try to take over and implement the entire HR function. Turns out the director of our office (no hr background) only cares about ideas that he likes, and is a poor leader during bad times, so our culture is at an all time low. Weāve had almost 50 folks leave this year (resignation and termination), so the company is the smallest itās ever been (less than 140 fte)ā¦.
I come to work, do what Iām told, and go home. No one cares about my role or respects it. My own boss even told me that the company wouldnāt backfill my role if I quit, lol.
I thought maybe I was burnt out from HR, but Iāve been interviewing and Iām excited about new opportunities in this field. For me, itās company and role specific. Just riding it out until I find a new opportunity.