As an employee, it can be intimidating when your manager says they would like to meet with you. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve done something wrong. It could be a sign that your manager wants to discuss your progress on a project or maybe even give you a promotion. It could also be a sign of disciplinary action. No matter the outcome, it is important to be ready for the meeting and remain professional during the conversation.
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of being prepared when your human resources (HR) manager asks to meet with you. We will discuss best practices when it comes to attending these meetings, as well as tips on how to remain professional and be an effective communicator. We will also discuss how to handle disciplinary actions or performance reviews should your meeting involve either or both.
Human Resources Video – Disciplinary Meeting
What does HR do?
Through a variety of responsibilities and duties, human resources manages a company’s employment-related operations.
What is human resources?
The division and staff members of a company that oversee employee management and development are known as human resources, or “HR.” Human resources frequently handles sensitive and private matters, such as salary, benefits, corporate policies, hiring and firing of staff, performance evaluations, and internal investigations.
Why would HR want to meet with me?
Since HR performs a wide range of duties, there are many different reasons to ask an employee to a meeting. The following are some typical justifications for HR to meet with you:
Ask you for help with a project
Sometimes, HR will call a meeting and invite you to participate in a unique project that is unrelated to your everyday duties. Companies and businesses frequently look for ways to increase functionality and productivity by planning new projects or ventures. If HR has asked to speak with you, it’s possible that they believe your abilities and talents would be beneficial for a current or upcoming project.
Inform you of changes in benefits
If your employer is making changes to their benefits program, HR may ask to meet with you. HR may want to discuss your enrollment in a new or modified insurance plan, changes to your health, dental, or vision insurance, or your options for company-matched retirement accounts like a 401(k) during this meeting.
Alert you to changes in compensation
HR will talk to you about the changes if your employer needs to alter your current compensation. If your employer is giving you a bonus or promotion, if they have to cut your pay, or if they have to offer you a lower pension, HR may request a meeting with you. HR may also request a meeting with you to go over any upcoming adjustments to the policies governing overtime pay, paid time off, paid holidays, and extended leave. Your HR manager may outline the terms and conditions of these changes and how they will impact your employment during a meeting about compensation changes.
Discuss the idea of transferring you
If you are moving to another department or position within a company, HR may request a meeting with you. A transfer might occur as a result of organizational restructuring at the business or because your employer thinks you’d excel in a different position. If you are transferred, HR will go over the specifics of your new position, including the job description, start date, instruction, salary, and benefits.
Organize training and team-building
HR may organize and implement employee training and team-building practices. Training frequently involves divisions within a company or groups of employees based on their performance on the job. Training typically consists of exercises and activities that encourage trust, effective communication, teamwork, and skill development. These activities could occur throughout the week, on the weekends, or even on business trips. If HR decides to invite you to participate in company training, they might schedule a meeting with you to go over the specifics of the program and your participation.
Ask questions for an investigation
During an investigation into employee issues like workplace conflicts or policy and procedure violations, HR may request to speak with you. HR may call you in for a meeting to discuss any information you may have on the matter, even if you aren’t the main target of the investigation. You could mention anything you have heard or seen relating to the investigation here.
Conduct a performance evaluation
Employers frequently conduct performance reviews, usually on a regular basis. It might be time for your subsequent performance review if HR has requested a meeting. In a performance evaluation, HR and other management members meet with you to discuss your overall performance in your role, areas for improvement, and any noteworthy accomplishments or instances of excellence since your previous performance evaluation.
HR may also ask to meet with you in order to commend or congratulate you on recent achievements or circumstances in which you went above and beyond the call of duty.
Discuss termination or layoff
Your employer may occasionally have to make the difficult but necessary decision to reduce the number of employees. HR manages dismissals, layoffs, and furloughs brought on by unforeseen events or financial difficulties. HR is frequently in charge of assessing job positions within an organization to determine which ones need to be kept and which ones can be terminated temporarily or permanently.
If HR has requested a meeting with you, it may be to go over your dismissal, leave of absence, or layoff. If this is the case, HR will typically explain why your employment is ending as well as the terms and conditions of your departure.
HR may occasionally give you a severance letter outlining any severance pay, additional benefits, outplacement services, or other forms of assistance you may receive after your employment ends.
Tips for meeting with human resources
Here are some suggestions to help you navigate an HR meeting:
Prepare for more responsibilities
Try to get ready to assume more responsibility if HR has requested a meeting with you to discuss your participation in a new project, your transfer to a new department, or a promotion. Remember that being adaptable and open-minded to new opportunities is a great way to advance your career, even though it’s important to be honest with your employer about the amount of additional work you’re willing and able to agree on.
Be honest in your answers
It’s crucial to be truthful in your responses if HR has asked to meet with you to discuss an ongoing investigation involving another employee. Even if you get along well with the employee in question, be truthful about any details you may know about the incident or the subject of the investigation. Your candor and willingness to cooperate with the investigation demonstrate to your employer that you are dependable and care about the success of the business.
Do your best to stay positive
It’s normal to feel unsure or anxious about the purpose of a meeting when HR requests to see you. Try your best to remain calm and positive. Often, there is little you can do to interpret the reason for the meeting request, but keep in mind that HR may want to meet with you for a variety of reasons.
Be sure to own your actions
It’s crucial to accept responsibility for your actions if HR has requested a meeting with you to discuss a problem with your behavior or job performance. Think about the criticisms your HR manager or employer has of your performance and consider how you can do better. Your employer will see your accountability and capacity for accepting constructive criticism if you demonstrate your willingness to learn and address behavioral or performance issues.
Consider requesting examples
If HR has raised issues or concerns about your performance or behavior and you are unsure of when those issues have arisen, you might want to consider asking for specific examples. Understanding the precise reasons why your behavior or performance wasn’t up to par can help you make up for those shortcomings in the future. HR managers and employers frequently value workers who are willing to learn everything they can to enhance their performance on the job.
Consider asking for help
If HR has requested a meeting with you to discuss issues with your performance, think about requesting career coaching or individual coaching. Employers frequently assist staff members who are having problems with their careers or personal issues to help them perform better at work. Most employers value employees who can ask for assistance when necessary, and they’ll be happy to offer any assistance they can.
FAQ
What does it mean when HR wants to meet with you?
During an investigation into employee issues like workplace conflicts or policy and procedure violations, HR may request to speak with you. HR may invite you in for a meeting to discuss any information you may have on the matter, even if you aren’t the primary target of the investigation.
What to say in meeting with HR?
- Take ownership of the issue that concerns you. …
- Make an initial inquiry about how HR might be able to help.
- Know your facts and be objective in sharing them. …
- Know what you want and don’t want. …
- Have realistic expectations. …
- Stay positive.
What should you not tell HR?
- When you have participated in illegal activities: …
- At times of FLMA leave considering to take off: …
- Lying: …
- Irrelevant information on resume: …
- mentioning a second job when your primary position is full-time:
- When you are assaulted or harassed: …
- Love gossips:
What happens when HR is involved?
Organizing interviews, directing hiring processes, and integrating new hires are all tasks that fall under the purview of human resources. Additionally, they are in charge of making sure that all hiring-related paperwork is completed and successfully navigating the first day and each subsequent day.
