ABSTRACT
There are a number of reasons why human resources (HR) has a negative reputation and this is not the place for an in-depth examination of HR as a profession. Suffice to say that those whose role involves or whose job title includes HR can be from many backgrounds, with wide-ranging experience and with many or few qualifications in the field. HR as a professional career is relatively new. As a profession, HR has its house in order. It has a professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Basic membership is relatively easy, but the more senior levels of membership are only granted after proof of skills, qualifications and experience. HR specialists are rarely involved in helping to create business strategy and so often are simply implementing someone else’s plans whether they agree with them or not. They may feel a certain amount of resentment if they have no input into the decision-making process.
