Comfortable but Stagnant (HR - Only)
Pros
If you’re at a stage in your career where learning and skill growth aren’t priorities, this can be a comfortable role. The environment is highly bureaucratic, with low performance expectations and high expectations around deference and political alignment. People largely work a strict 9–5 or 8:30-4:30 schedule, with long lunch breaks or frequent social downtime for gossiping. Despite frequent talk of “transformation,” many initiatives are unsuccessful and changes tend to be basic and incremental rather than strategic. The nice part about that is it’s slow and steady. This role is amazing if you are just prioritizing stability, or transitioning into being a stay-at-home mom or caregiver which is not uncommon in HR. It’s rare that someone in HR is fired as long as you do not question things. Even then they will make you miserable long before firing you so you’ll have loads of time to find new employment. Due to reputation of the business, it is great for your resume despite its flaws, it helped me get a significantly higher paying job right away. Answer some emails late at night from your phone and it is peachy.
Cons
Your skillset will degrade working in HR here. The HR team is massive for the HC of the company and many people are doing work that has a technology solution. New ideas are met with animosity and because there isn’t much strategic work to go around there’s a lot of backstabbing. Your compensation will be based on likability with key people in leadership, it will be quickly obvious who that is. If you join the HR team here I’d choose a role where you interact with very few people. The environment often feels like being back in high school except the behavior is coming from adults, and the teenage antics are far less endearing or forgivable at this stage of life. (this review is only about HR, other departments are smart, great people and work hard)
