We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however...

[1StrongBlackMan]

33. Maybe 20 years ago ...

As an Human Resources Professional, my role is to ensure that (and pardon the trite phrase) we get the right people on the bus and keep them on the bus by ensuring that they are sitting in the right seat.

We have very little to do with "ensuring other employees are doing their jobs" or "getting people to show up and work" (that's the line supervisors' job). I do, however, work with the line supervisor to ensure that they are giving the employee all the tools that the employee needs to do his/her job, including establish a safe and positive work environment.

You are correct that HR isn't supposed to represent the views of the employee ... My mantra is: I send 70% of my time telling employees, "Yes ... You really do have to do what your supervisor tells you to do (so long as it is not illegal, immoral or unethical)"; I spend the other 70% of my time telling management, "You can't do that because the lawsuit is going to read like this ...". My secondary mantra to employees is, "If you are in the right, I will fight for you; and if you are in the wrong, I will cry mercy ... if you let me."