Human Resources (HR) is meant to be the bridge between employees and management, ensuring a fair and supportive work environment. However, in India, HR often functions as an extension of corporate interests rather than an advocate for employees. From the hiring process to workplace support and even exit policies, HR practices in India leave much to be desired. Instead of helping employees thrive, they often create roadblocks, fostering frustration, burnout, and disillusionment.
1. The Broken Hiring System: A Game of Ghosting & Nepotism
The hiring process in India is frustratingly inefficient and riddled with outdated practices that make it difficult for deserving candidates to secure opportunities.
- Excessive Experience Requirements: Companies demand 3-5 years of experience for entry-level roles, creating a paradox where fresh graduates have nowhere to start.
- Ghosting Candidates: Many applicants invest time in interviews, only to be met with silence. Professional rejection emails are almost non-existent.
- Nepotism & Internal Referrals: A significant percentage of roles are filled through internal referrals, sidelining qualified external candidates.
- Salary Bias Over Skills: Companies prioritize a candidate’s last drawn CTC rather than their actual skill set, making career growth difficult for those looking to switch or upskill.
- Unrealistic Expectations with Low Pay: Employers seek top-tier talent but hesitate to offer competitive salaries, leading to skilled professionals being undervalued.
2. HR Abandons Employees Once They’re Hired
Once an employee is onboarded, the real struggle begins. HR, which should ideally act as a support system, often turns a blind eye to workplace challenges.
- No Assistance for Workplace Issues: Whether it’s an abusive manager, office politics, or unfair workloads, HR remains a passive spectator, prioritizing the company's reputation over employee well-being.
- Lack of Clear Policies: Many organizations operate without well-defined policies, leading to arbitrary decisions favoring management over employees.
- Unfair Appraisal Systems: Performance evaluations often lack transparency, with promotions and salary hikes delayed or denied under vague justifications like “budget constraints.”
- Toxic Work Culture & Overwork: Employees are expected to work beyond official hours, often with no overtime pay or work-life balance initiatives.
- Leaves & Benefits Are Just Paperwork: Despite having leave policies on paper, employees often struggle to get approvals or face discouragement from taking time off.
3. Handling Workplace Problems: HR's Failure to Protect Employees
HR departments in India have largely failed to create safe and healthy workplaces. Employees often have nowhere to turn when facing workplace issues.
- HR Serves Management, Not Employees: Instead of acting as a mediator, HR typically sides with the leadership, leaving employees powerless.
- Harassment Cases Are Ignored or Covered Up: Despite POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) laws, many companies fail to take action against perpetrators, especially if they are in senior positions.
- Mental Health Is Not a Priority: Despite rising awareness, most companies lack genuine mental health support systems. Employees are expected to “deal with stress” rather than receive any real assistance.
- Exit Process Is a Nightmare: Employees resigning or being laid off often face delayed full-and-final settlements, with HR conveniently disappearing when it’s time to process dues.
4. The HR-Management Nexus: A System Built Against Employees
HR in India often acts as an arm of management, protecting company interests rather than advocating for employees. This misalignment results in widespread dissatisfaction and attrition.
- Sudden & Brutal Layoffs: Employees are frequently fired with little to no notice, sometimes even being locked out of their systems overnight.
- Manipulative Exit Interviews: HR conducts exit interviews not to improve workplace culture, but to collect information that can be used against employees in case of legal disputes.
- Fake Promises During Hiring: Candidates are often misled about job roles, growth opportunities, and salary structures, only to realize the reality after joining.
- No Accountability for Bad HR Practices: Unlike in developed economies, HR professionals in India face little to no consequences for mishandling employee concerns.
5. What Needs to Change?
HR practices in India need a massive overhaul to truly serve employees and create workplaces that foster growth and well-being. Here’s what needs to change:
- HR Must Be Held Accountable: Employees should have a system where they can report HR failures without fear of retaliation.
- Fair Hiring Practices: Transparent recruitment, rejection communication, and skill-based salary decisions should replace outdated hiring biases.
- Employee-Centric Policies: Companies must prioritize clear, accessible, and enforceable policies regarding leaves, appraisals, and workplace grievances.
- Stronger Legal Protections: The government should enforce stricter labor laws and ensure that companies comply with them.
- Genuine Mental Health Support: Organizations must implement real mental health initiatives, not just surface-level wellness programs.
Final Thoughts
HR in India is broken, and employees are paying the price. Until HR stops acting as a corporate shield and starts advocating for employees, the workplace will continue to be an unfair and exhausting battlefield. The system is due for a serious transformation—one that prioritizes fairness, transparency, and genuine employee well-being over corporate politics.
What are your experiences with HR in India? Have you faced similar struggles? Let’s discuss.
