Several years ago I participated in a marvelous
workshop entitled “Choreography of Culture Change”. One of the questions I brought
with me was the role of Human Resources
in this whole marvelous shift of culture.
I think I didn’t know how to pose my concerns well, but concerns I had,
because I saw in a particular Sisters’ nursing home community that HR was
hiring persons that met HR’s paper qualifications period. In my estimation the
consequences were chaotic oftentimes for both other staff and the residents.
And of course turnover in more than one department was a major problem.
There is a new HR Director in that aging services
community now and she wrote about how she sees her job. I share it with her
permission:
“I look forward to partnering with you as we move
forward together to further our Mission and Vision. Please know that I am here
to serve all of the Sisters and employees. My main focus is to foster a work
environment that embraces our core values which ultimately will create the
pleasant home environment that all the Sisters deserve.”
With this focus, this HR Director will, I know, be
evaluating potential employees on much more than academic, professional,
certification or licensure requirements. She will be looking for candidates who
are capable of and desirous of fostering “a work environment that embraces our
core values”. And in creating that
“pleasant home environment”, employees will also be working in a happier, more
contented, more professional environment.
THAT’s Culture Change!
Who’s responsible for furthering the mission? Everyone
who walks through the door of the community. And HR is a vital link in enabling
that to happen!
