Data Watch

Disparity in Perceptions among HR and Business Leaders

Close to three-fifths of business leaders either do not have an established relationship with HR or neglect to consider including HR in the implementation of workforce plans, according to Working Together, Working Apart , a newly released report by Veritude. Furthermore, a large gulf separates the percentage of business leaders who rate HR leaders as well-versed in financial acumen and HR leaders who themselves rate their financial acumen as such.

Additionally, business and HR leaders are frustrated with one another when it comes to day-to-day operations. For example, 21% of business leaders perceive HR as not being able to find the right people for the job, not having bandwidth, or lacking responsiveness to business leaders’ needs. But HR leaders believe business leaders set unrealistic time frames, lack an understanding of workforce issues (such as the challenges of finding qualified candidates), and are inconsistent in implementing initiatives.

The report’s key findings include:

• Both business and HR leaders agree that talent acquisition and recruitment top the list of strategic business issues.
• Twenty-three percent of business leaders and 19% of HR leaders see HR as not involved in developing strategy, or only involved in helping to implement strategy.
• Fifty-five percent of business leaders versus 80% of HR leaders rate HR as "well versed" in financial acumen.
• Ninety percent of respondents currently have plans in place to address critical workforce challenges.

Both business leaders and HR agree, according to the report, that they want HR more fully involved in workforce strategy and implementation. In fact, the report finds that it is incumbent on HR to accept business line leaders as their clients and take on the responsibility of improving the working relationships. HR leaders recognize that a part of their charge is to insert themselves into the business as partners. When HR leaders were asked what they can do to support the business, 42% state that they need to stay abreast of business issues and be a partner by asserting the HR perspective, such as presenting workforce issues and solutions proactively.

In compiling Working Together, Working Apart, Veritude commissioned Blue Bell, Pa.-based Attitude Measurement Corporation to conduct an online survey of 101 business leaders (each responsible for at least 500 employees) and 99 HR leaders (director level or higher).Only companies employing more than 5,000 participated.