The Truth About HR: Employee Perception Infographic

Masha -

Let's be honest: We care about what others think of us. It's human nature. Whether neighbors, new friends, or colleagues – we all spend a lot of time maintaining our image and thinking about how it comes across to others. While we may not know what your neighbor thinks about living next to you, we can tell you what your company's employees think about the HR department.

At the beginning of the year, we surveyed over 1,000 full-time employees in the U.S. about their opinion of the HR department in their companies. Here are some interesting insights:

1. Executives have the most positive attitude towards the HR department.

You have probably already read headlines suggesting that HR leaders are mistrusted, seen as a nuisance, or not given a seat at the leadership table (we have even co-authored some of those headlines). Well, it seems that the tide has turned, and the leadership is recognizing the true value of HR.  

Leaders consistently report the most positive perceptions of their HR departments. Thanks to the knowledge and support HR provides to the company, the leadership is more satisfied with it than managers or employees.  

Speaking of employees: According to our findings, their perception of HR is not particularly positive. Here are some points that could help change that:

  • Regularly collect, implement, and track employee feedback to improve the work environment.  
  • Look for software tools that provide employees with convenient access to important information such as vacation times, performance reviews, and a company directory.  
  • Hold an informational session before the next benefits enrollment period to explain the selection criteria to employees, answer questions, and demonstrate the value of the offered benefits.  

2. Older employees have the most negative perception of the HR department.

It seems that the HR department has earned the respect of the many millennials entering the workforce by taking their individual work styles and needs into account. However, in doing so, we may be neglecting the needs of our experienced employees.

Our survey shows that the perception of the HR department decreases as employees get older. Employees over 55 express the most negative views about their HR department. We suspect that years of poor HR practices—such as ineffective performance evaluations and lack of transparency—have led to distrust and the perception that the HR department exists solely to protect the company's assets. In any case, older employees feel less supported and consider the HR department to be less competent and less effective than their younger colleagues.

Even though it remains important to consider the needs of the majority of the workforce, HR should look for ways to support different age groups individually. Here are some suggestions:

  • Instead of targeting Millennials specifically, look for work processes, solutions, and benefits that appeal to a broader employee group.
  • Take advantage of the experience of older employees by involving them in company decisions, workplace improvements, and mentoring.
  • Keep in mind that older employees are likely still interested in further education and training opportunities despite their advanced careers.  

3. Companies with highly skilled HR departments benefit from additional positive employee outcomes.

This is perhaps the best news from our survey! We already knew that the HR department has an enormous impact on companies, but these results make it clear once again.

Most employees who said their HR team was very competent also felt highly engaged, satisfied with their work, connected to their company, and supported by it. In addition, they reported that their companies perform at a high level. Although this survey shows a correlation and not a causal relationship, it is clear to us: An effective HR department, high-performing employees, and successful companies go hand in hand.

In contrast, many employees in companies with incompetent HR departments reported similar problems. For example, 80 percent of employees who indicated an incompetent HR department also reported receiving little support from their company.

Conclusion

Now you know what most people think about the HR department – both the positive and the negative aspects. Of course, the employees in your company probably have their own opinions on this. Gather feedback to identify areas where your HR department can improve employee satisfaction. A more positive perception will then naturally follow.

The survey clearly indicates that the perception of HR is polarized: recognized by leadership but often mistrusted by older employees. Crucially, the data confirms that a highly competent HR department is directly linked to positive employee outcomes like high engagement and job satisfaction. To bridge the perception gap, HR must become more visible, accessible, and effective for all employees, especially long-term staff. IceHrm provides the technological infrastructure to address these challenges directly. By utilizing IceHrm's Employee Self-Service portal, employees gain convenient, immediate access to information on leave balances, benefits, and performance reviews, directly addressing the need for transparency and ease of access. This increased efficiency and self-service capability, powered by IceHrm, allows the HR team to shift focus from administrative tasks to strategic support, naturally building the competence and positive relationships necessary to improve employee perception across all age groups.