What is it about HR professionals?
July 2007 - Our survey showed that 57% of those working in HR were unhappy in their work (see What is the happiest profession?). Given the function's pivotal role in supporting an organisation's people, we took a closer look in July 2007.
Our key findings are:
- 11% said their immediate boss's management style was 'directing', against a survey average of 22%. 47% described their style as 'supportive' (survey average 46%) and 42% 'delegating' (survey average 42%)
- 63% of bosses are female compared to a survey average of 39%
- More HR professionals believe they are paid less than the average for their role than the average of our respondents (42% of HR respondents against 29% overall)
- In terms of feedback, it appears that HR is a profession with extremes. 21% of HR respondents said they received feedback monthly, against a survey average of 17%. Yet 26% said they never received feedback, against a survey average of 13%. Of those receiving feedback, 87% characterised it as 'constructive and balanced' in line with the survey average.
- A staggering 37% of HR professionals admitted to actively looking for a new job, against a survey average of 19%. 42% (survey average 32%) are keeping an eye open for opportunities. While only 21% said they had no plans to move, the lowest of all the professions we survey and considerably below the survey average of 50%.
- In terms of what might attract an HR professional to a new role, this reflected the survey average (see What attracts about a new job?) with the exception of 'a different boss or management style' which was selected by 21% of HR respondents, the highest percentage in our survey and considerably above our average of 15%.