HR and the "Favours" that are asked of us
As an HR professional, one comes across people within and outside the workplace, asking for what we all know as "favours". Don't care how Oxford or any other dictionary defines the word, whenever I get to hear this word here, at a Pakistani workplace, I hear someone asking me to break or bend the rules to go out of the way to accommodate.
Non Merit Job Seekers
"My nephew is jobless, can you please consider him for a role?"
Me: I have seen his CV, don't think he will make the cut in terms of necessary, mandatory qualification required for this role.
"But you are in HR, you can bypass that".
Me: and why should I or anyone else in HR do that?
"Asking as a FAVOUR".
Me: suppose, I do get him interviewed knowingly he isn't suited for the role, how can I expect the interviewer, who is likely to he his line manager, to clear him in interview?
"You can ask the line manager to hire him as a FAVOUR to you, that will be an added FAVOUR to me."
Me: this is sort of stuff which can get me fired.
"No problem, I will ask someone else to hire you, as a FAVOUR to me".
Me: *speechless*
Non abiding team members
"Please grant and approve my leaves this week."
Me: you have already exhausted your leaves for this year...
"I am aware, asking you as a FAVOUR".
Me: how do you expect me to do that? I work for someone else? It is beyond me to consider this request.
"Can you talk to someone for me? Maybe the CEO, or COO?"
Me: and why would I do that?
"As a FAVOUR..."
Me: we went through this last month, told you your leaves are gone. I have to be fair with everyone, who is going to fill in for your shifts this month then?
"I have already planned for that, same guy as last month, he will be filling in for me. You see he was in need for some cash last month and borrowed from me. It is my turn to ask for a FAVOUR".
*Does this cycle ever end?*
Nagging, compulsive seekers of favour
"My son is applying for a job, he just graduated. He has to submit some letters stating he has had an internship in the sector he is applying for."
Me: yes that is the practice in some places, do you want to send him over to us for an internship?
"Not at all, no offence but the place you work at maybe little too overwhelming for my Son, so he is applying elsewhere, some place more cordial. I am asking you for an internship letter that he has indeed worked as an intern with you."
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Me: if I understand this correctly, you are asking me to issue an internship experience letter for an internship which never took place?"
"Precisely".
Me: why would I do that?
"It shall be a FAVOUR that I will remember."
Me: so you expect me to be dishonest with the organization, to misuse my position here?
"It is only a letter, not asking you for a stipend or compensation for an internship that never happened".
Me: so dishonesty's only if money is involved?
"Yes, rest are FAVOURS".
Me: do I look like someone who would do that?
"Oh yes, why else would I ask you?"
Me: do me a FAVOUR, change your opinion about me.
Better be safe than sorry
"I am calling from an office which I need not name because my tone should be sufficient. Consider this as an official call because everything here is official business".
Me: is this about a FAVOUR?
"How can you tell?"
Me: not my first day on job in this country...
"My niece works at your organization, she can't work all the way until 5 pm, she has to go for evening classes".
Me: well we have a policy that allows for people to pursue studies after work and I am sure we can find a solution. She only needs to share with us her program acceptance letter...
"No she doesn't".
Me: yes she does, see this clause in this policy right here says...
"Do me a FAVOUR, don't ask for this letter"
Me: breaking news Sir, that ain't up to me.
"Do me this FAVOUR, and I will ensure we FAVOUR you".
Me: but I didn't ask for a FAVOUR.
"You want me to send over someone in person? If someone asking for you doesn't visit you later in the day, consider this a FAVOUR"
Me: *disconnects phone, walks up to THE niece*, do me a FAVOUR, please leave work anytime you want.?
Human Resource (HR) Specialist | Talent Acquisition | Talent Management | Recruitment | Technical Recruiter | Organizational Development (OD) | Performance Management | People Management | Succession Planning
2 年Asking for "Help" is way better than asking for "Favour". We as a society feels ashamed to ask for HELP than asking for FAVOUR. And that leads to ending up taking wrongful decisions as highlighted in this article. It also dictates that I did a FAVOUR for you today, now you owe me one for tomorrow. Regardless of how wrongful it could be. Be Helpful and always ask for help, not Favour
Area Sales & Distribution Supervisor In National Food Product Company - North Emirates- UAE
2 年Favour is, give extra support to someone which leads favoritism at work place. Can be called toxic.
Executive Director & Consultant HR, IR, OD @- Nexus Pakistan Business Solutions
2 年It's always good to support people around you fairly and it's true that people ask for favours. Better way to manage this issue is to strictly follow organization processes , which have procedure for exception in special situations. Saying No in positive manner is an art. This helps to avoid possible negative impact of saying no to such requests for favour. One should never present himself as an ultimate authority and should always buy time to involve / refer to higher level to ensure that your No is not converted to yes by someone else.