Human Resource (HR) departments standardize onboarding, performance reviews, training, and compensation to match the impact staff has on company profits.

Often, these teams identify investments of time and money to support your professional development, accommodations and/or reason(s) for dismissal.

While HR teams advocate for staff, they ultimately work for your employer. Your interactions with HR are not social ones and should be planned and documented whenever possible.

We recommend

Always send information in writing first
Record yourself in each verbal conversation to ensure you have communicated clearly.*
Ask for examples

* If you live in a 2-party state (incl. PA, CA, WA), use earphones to block the sound of the other party during a video chat. Always ask if you can record both sides of the conversation but in the event that your HR rep declines, you still have a way to transcribe your voice to ensure you have expressed yourself clearly. Use free live transcription tools like OneNote or Google Translate by opening up a second browser before the meeting begins.