The HR Whisperer: Sarcasm Edition

As part of my duties in HR, I like to check in with new employees to see how they’re settling in—kind of like a friendly pop quiz, but without the anxiety (or the grades). Recently, I had a chat with a new manager who seemed to be navigating his first foray into the world of exempt management. He opened our meeting with a confession: he was clocking in well over 40 hours a week, which he found quite unfair since, after all, he’d been hired for a “40-hour work week.”

I can’t blame him; transitioning from the clock-punching world to the land of managerial overload can feel a bit like going from a bicycle to a unicycle—exciting but slightly terrifying. He shared his frustrations, and as a dutiful HR representative, I listened intently, asking if he had discussed his feelings with his director yet. He hadn’t, so I encouraged him to bring it up, assuring him that his director was reasonable—after all, nobody wants an unhappy manager, we don’t want increased turnover.

He then proceeded to unload his feelings like I was a therapist—complete with anecdotes, frustrations, and perhaps a few tears (I might have imagined the last part). I thought I had provided a safe space for him to vent, only to later discover he felt more interrogated than understood. Cue my dramatic gasp!

So here’s the takeaway: if you find yourself spilling your guts to your HR manager, remember that I’m not here to take notes for a tell-all memoir. If you’re having a rough day, circle back and mention it. No need for revisionist history where I’m the villain of your workplace saga! I promise, I won’t be waterboarding you for your opinions. I’m here to help, not to interrogate.

And with that, let’s keep the communication flowing—and maybe leave the therapy sessions for licensed professionals!