What's your ODD HR duty?

Paul in Cannon Beach · June 2009

HR is practiced differently from organization to organization. In smaller companies, its not unusual for HR (and other positions) to wear multiple hats.

So what is your ODD HR function? What is that task you inherited at some point that seems incongruent with everything else you do. I have a WHOLE list of them. I'll share just two.

Parking police - in the summer we have 90 summer staff who live here for three months. One of my jobs is to make sure they are parking in their designated areas and not occupying our guest parking. Since I come to the office at about 7 am most days, I will do a short parking patrol and write up the offenders I find parked in the wrong area. I even have a little badge I wear.

Airport runs - again, in the summer we will have staff who come to work for us from out of state (or out of the country). Its not unusual for me to make 2-3 airport runs (about a 2 hour drive each way) to pick up arriving staff.

KSR6450 · June 2009

Does babysitting grown men count? I have to remind several of the officers to get their expense reports in and I pay their internal loans for them. Not sure if it is just because I am a good nag, or what, but I get those type of responsibilites quite often.

I also seem to be the only person here who knows how to set up an e-mail distribution list. If someone has a kitten to give away they send me the e-mail (not the kitten) and ask me to distribute it to everyone. (That is just an example, no one here likes cats! jk Paul).

plynnl · June 2009

I also have to remind the guys in the office that it isn't too difficult to put their mugs or dishes in the dishwasher rather than in the sink. They still have trouble with this concept.
The woman don't seem to have a problem with it.

I am also the one who gets the birthday cakes/pies for employee's birthdays.

Nevada HR · June 2009

I track due dates for all our water rights, show proof of beneficial use and have maps drawn showing points of diversion, etc.

I'm also responsible for Bids, RFPs and RFQs; from advertising to being on the selection committee.

joannie · June 2009

Credit Manager here. Hire, fire and sue, that's me.:whip:

NaeNae55 · June 2009

I do the financials, IT, purchasing, billing, collecting, etc... Oh wait! I'm a finance person whose weird odd job is HR!

My work life has variety though. Today so far I have worked on restablishing our scanner to our email system, helped someone get their Adobe working, and helped someone reset their password. I have also read Business Week, CFO Magazine, and the Kansas Employment Law Letter. Next: budgets. ::pb&J::

plynnl · June 2009

Oh, I forgot, I am also the computer/printer repair person. I have had people come up to me and tell me the main printer is out of paper. I take them back to the printer and show them how to load paper. They still seem to forget how.

They also ask me how to fix their computers. My standard answer is "Restart".

CAllen · June 2009

I, too, am the parking police (but no badge) when I'm not a personal counselor or babysitter...

NaeNae55 · June 2009

Dress police is my favorite. "Uh...don't you think that dress is a little short (especially for someone your age)?" "Our dress code forbids blouses so short that we can see your stomach or back." "Those jeans (coveralls, flip flops, etc etc) are specifically denied by our dress code."

Always wishing I could add, "Please wear reds that don't clash," "That peach business suit looks beautiful and classy enough for a New York CEO, so why did you ruin it with brown cowgirl half boots with fringe?", and my favorite, "Is that a hat or a joke on your head?"

Dutch2 · June 2009

Panty-Hose-Police: Our dress code requires socks or hosiery to be worn. With the warm, I mean HOT, weather we are not having I am the one that others come to in order to snitch on someone that is not following the dress code. I then get to go check it out and inform their supervisor of the dress code violation. They most always reply, "Yea, I was going to talk to them about that later."

Paul in Cannon Beach · June 2009

I was our initial webmaster up to a year ago. Ten years ago I was handed a copy of Microsoft Frontpage and told "build us a website, boy!" Well, they didnt say "boy".

I manage our Facebook "fan" page now.

I have emceed some of our conferences and I generally take a group of men golfing during our men's conference.

I proofread for our exec director.

plynnl · June 2009

You have a Men's Conference?

Paul in Cannon Beach · June 2009

Yep. I'll pm you the details.

KSR6450 · June 2009

[quote=Paul in Cannon Beach;716513]
I proofread for our exec director.[/quote]

Okay then - surprise has an 'r' in it...so glad I was able to finally get that off my chest!

My duties here include proofreading as well - glaring errors are like nails on a chalkboard to me. One of our Directors is worse than I am, though. He will circle any incorrect grammar or misspelled words in the meeting minutes and pass it back. Quite funny actually.

ACU Frank · June 2009

Since I generally believe I can do anything here better than the person assigned to do it, I consider everything part of my job.

Paul in Cannon Beach · June 2009

I prufreed more fer stile not speling. Thats wat spelchek is fer.

KSR6450 · June 2009

Style... really?

I knew it wasn't punctuation.

Mr. Cannon Beach has a degree in English but refuses to use proper punctuation which is a source of irritation for some (myself included). :-/

Do most HR peeps find themselves in a 'babysitting' role? Could it be due to our innate sense of caring and wanting the best for everyone? Nah, didn't think so....

FunHRBanker · June 2009

I'm in charge of replacing toilet paper, paper towel, soap, etc. Somehow I'm also expected to empty the dishwasher (after at least 20 people have seen that they're clean). HR (AKA, me) is also responsible for ordering all the snacks in the breakroom and office supplies.

I wonder what some of these peoples' homes look like

plynnl · June 2009

Marriage/signifcant other counselor.

cnghr · June 2009

Since benefits administration is part of my position, I often hear more than I would like about people's medical issues. I guess they think it will be helpful when they are having a problem with the insurance if they tell me WAY more than I ever wanted to about what's going on with their health. Yes, I'm a good listener, but I really don't want to hear all the gory details!

NaeNae55 · June 2009

[QUOTE=cnghr;716543]Since benefits administration is part of my position, I often hear more than I would like about people's medical issues. I guess they think it will be helpful when they are having a problem with the insurance if they tell me WAY more than I ever wanted to about what's going on with their health. Yes, I'm a good listener, but I really don't want to hear all the gory details![/QUOTE]

I feel your pain. I once had an employee with severe teeth problems. She felt it was her duty to give me a daily report, complete with history in case I forgot.

KSR6450 · June 2009

Here is a duty which has become mine - picking up cigarette butts from around our building. With this task as my excuse to leave my desk, I have been able to spend many a pretty afternoon outside. Give me a set of Playtex gloves, a garbage bag and a sunny day and I will stay outside for hours...

Any other people have acquired duties which are outside the HR realm and they enjoy doing?

ACU Frank · June 2009

I view 'HR duties' as anything that allows employees to be more productive, either long-term or short-term. Even though I've been asked to handle some unusual duties, I could always rationalize their positive impact on our employees.

Yes, it occurs to me that I am a sucker, but I'm also a big fan of job security.

Paul in Cannon Beach · June 2009

I am alot like Frank (in that sense). Anything that makes employees more effective is fair game for my input or oversight.

One of my favorite areas is customer service. I am obsessed with it.

KSR6450 · June 2009

Nice Avatar PICB! You have a beautiful daughter, at least I assume that is your daughter since you aren't from the South

ACU Frank · June 2009

Linda - By 'South' , should I assume you mean south of Tennessee?

LOL!

NaeNae55 · June 2009

I think she means south of New Jersey.

PICB: I like your picture too.

KSR6450 · June 2009

If you live in a state that still refers to the Civil War as the War of Northern Aggression... well, you get the idea. Or if Jerry Lee Lewis is your role model for picking a bride... well, you get the idea. I had to go listen to a country band on Saturday and I don't care for country music, so I am down on most things 'Southern' right now.

Although I did sing along with 'Before He Cheats'...

KSR6450 · June 2009

[quote=ACU Frank;716607]Linda - By 'South' , should I assume you mean south of Tennessee?

LOL![/quote]

Frank, as my high school Economics teacher loved to tell us - you know what happens when you ass u me...

Paul in Cannon Beach · June 2009

Thanks! Thats my youngest daughter. That pic was taken at "Sandcastle Day" which is a yearly competition for professional and amateur sandcastle builders. Behind me is Haystack Rock.

joannie · June 2009

She is cute. Takes after her mother, doesn't she?:angel:

What's your ODD HR duty?

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