I have a question about Human Resources. Does Human Resources really care about employees? Is it worth it to go to them for issues you are having? It seems to me that they only care about employees if something has happened where the company can be sued. If you go to them for certain issues and they ignore you what can you do?

Of course, the answer to your question depends upon the persons in the HR Department, especially with their leadership.

However, I can tell you, as a person with signficiant experience leading HR teams, that HR's mission is two-fold. First of all, they are there to ensure that the rights of the employees are protected. Second, they are there to protect the interests of the corporation. That may mean provide consultation to employees with difficulties. Or, it could mean provide consultation to managers who are concerned about employees who do not have the best interests of the corporation at heart.

As with many situations, employment related or not, there are often two opposing interests. A good HR person will weigh the two to find a reasonable resoluation satisfactory to both interests. If that is not possible, they must find the resolution that best protects the organization as a whole.

To use an analogy outside of the employment arena, let's use an example of a theft of a bank. While it may the best interest of the criminal to gain use of the bank's money, society says that the protection of the bank's assets (which, in essence, belongs to all of the bank's customers) is of a higher priority than one individual's interests.

Occasionally, an employee feels that the resolution of an issue is unfair. However, if the decision of the HR person is appropriate, the decision was made in consideration of higher level priorities, protecting the company as a whole (which, in turn, protects all of its employees as a company with financial difficulties endangers the livelihood of all of its employees).

Thanks, the reason I asked the question is becuase I have been off from work since October. I left for Maternity Leave, however in the month following the birth of my son I had three seperate traumatic events within my family so my leave has turned into stress. An employee just recently called my home to inform me of the types of things that are bing said about me. Basically everyone believes I am just making everything up to try and stay out of work as long as possible. I was also told I would be moved to a lower position when I come back even though I have not been replaced at my present position. I made HR aware of what I was told. I also decided I would HR know that last year my Managers did not want to honor my Doctor's note requiring me to only work my regular 8 hour shift, no overtime, because I was having so many problem with my pregnancy.

Is this something HR will be concerned with?

They should be, if nothing less than to avoid being accused of retaliation against a person who is on medical leave. If you feel that your employer is not responsive, then you should try to place your request for assistance in "understanding their response" to your medical leave in writing, making sure that you send it via certified mail, return receipt required. If they don't respond, you can use that lack of response to your advantage, should you file a claim of retaliation. (By the way, if you sent another letter saying that they didn't respond to your initial request, it will provide an additional level of proof of their lack of concern.)

I sent a letter certified mail to HR yesterday and voiced all of my concerns. (I forgot to mention in my previous post that I received a letter a few weeks ago from my job saying they could only hold my job until this current week so since I have not been cleared to return to work by my doctor I am being terminated)...... I explained in the letter in great detail that I was made aware by another employee, the rude comments being made about me regarding my family situation. I only told my Manager the details of my situation and some how it got around the entire office. I also felt the need to explain how my Managers didn't want to honor my Doctor's note last year where I was not to work any overtime while I was pregnant.

I don't expect HR to really do too much about it but should they at least keep what I am saying on file? My husband told me it was a waste of time to write a letter since I am not going back and it looks like I just want to start trouble. I feel what they did to me was wrong and what's wrong with expressing myself?

Bottom line, how should HR handle my letter?

If they are knowledgable, they will look into the matter and then get word out internally to "knock it off". If anything, it will make them a little more cautious with internal gossip.

If you are really worried about your reputation, you may actually wish to consult with an attorney, who can assist you in sending them a letter letting them know that it must stop immediately.

However, if you don't feel that their badmouthing will leave the company, I wouldn't bother going that far.

If you really want to pursue this, you can file a complaint of retaliation against them, if your leave was covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act. You can read about FMLA at: http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/whdfs28.htm