HR should know: 3 things to always share

(MoneyWatch) Just like there are some things you should never share with HR, there are some you should report. "In today's transparent technology environments what we do or say is more challenging to keep private and there are areas in our lives that we do not want to share with HR. However, there are things we do want to share because in some cases HR can be there to protect you and be an advocate for you," says Jayne Mattson, Senior Vice President, Keystone Associates, a Boston-based career consulting firm. Of course, only you can know what's right for your situation, but there are some general guidelines. Here are 3 things to consider disclosing:

If a family member dies.

You may not have to take a PTO or a sick day if a member of your family passes, if you inform your HR rep. "Bereavement or funeral leave is paid leave for an employee to attend the funeral of a family member and/or attend estate-related activities of a deceased family member," says Washington, D.C.-based human resources consultant Sharon Armstrong, author of "The Essential HR Handbook."

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If you witness a violation of HR policy.

Whether you're being sexually harassed, you witness co-workers threatening each other or you discover your boss skimming company funds, HR can help -- if you let them. "Human Resources cannot do anything about a co-worker or manager behaving inappropriately if they are not made aware of an unsafe or unhealthy situation. An employee violating a safety rule not only puts himself or herself at risk of injury, but also the company as a whole with unnecessary cost and damaged reputation," says Kelly Walls, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, for the Kansas City-based shipping company YRC Freight.

If you're experiencing a serious health issue.

You don't have to discuss personal medical issues with HR, but it can be crucial if your work is being affected, you need special accommodation, or easy changes can be made to keep you healthier. "A medical condition, food allergies, undergoing certain medical treatments such as chemo, or dialysis, taking medications that could affect your balance or judgment -- these are examples of health issues to share with HR. Your employer can, for example, avoid all nuts at company functions or have EpiPens and instructions on how to use them in the office," says Michelle D. Roccia, Executive Vice President, Employee Engagement at WinterWyman, a Boston-based staffing firm.

Not sure whether to seek out HR's help? "Always trust your gut when the ethical meter registers something is off," suggests Judy Shen-Filerman, founder of Dreambridge Partners, a Boston-based leadership development firm. If you need an outside opinion, choose a trusted peer -- preferably someone who is not associated with your company. 

HR professionals: What else do you recommend employees disclose? Employees: Have you ever regretted disclosing information to HR? Please sign in and share in the comments section.

[victandres]

A good thing to share with HR is your professional evoultion expectations. They usually get informed about changes and new created positions and can help recommendable persons to be taken into account. You could miss a good professional growth opportunity just because you didn't mentione your plans and desires to anyone, or perhaps not to the right persons like HR. It's sad but very often your direct boss is the last person who will help you get promoted so in case you want to evolve talk to HR, other Managers and why not, the big head of the organisation. This should be supported with a good performance and good relationships with peers and relevant persons from other functions whether or not they are managers, you never now whom's opinion will make the difference while deciding who will take that professional career evolution.

[AmberMark]

HR is a team of people set in place with roles and responsibilities that are very important. These roles directly serve the employees and organizations as their main advocate. Take the time to inform your HR representative of all information so they can best serve you. Ascentis

[oliverschmid]

I was over a year ago diagnosed with stage IV cancer. I knew that this would affect my work significantly. There for I went right away to my manager and HR. They told me that they will be supporting me all the way, which so far they have done. I can take time off whenever I need and at times when I really did not feel to well they even assigned sonebody to help me with my projects. I was able to continue to work , successfully complete my projects, have new projects assigned to me and even received offers to publicly speak on some of my work.
I never made a secret of my disease and kept the people I was working with, my manager and HR always updated on my condition and have only received support, and positive feedback.
HR and management don't want cry babies and people that complain all the time. If you work with them and if you arre open and realistic, they will work with you an d find solutions that are benefitial for all parties involved.

[Mrs. E]

Bereavement is not paid where I work...they only give us 3 days of unpaid time off for a first degree relative. Since final arrangements in my experience take about a week, that is not adequate if you are the taking care of it. Harassment, depends on the company and who is complaining. It is entirely possible no one will get fired and just a really uncomfortable work environment is created. All in all, the HR department at my company does as little as possible for the employees.

[jtdev1]

HR is NOT there for you people, it's there for the COMPANY...

Sure, go running to HR too many times and you WILL be FIRED.


They are there to protect the company's interest at all times, no question about that.

Two employees have a problem - Both are fired.

You complain about your manager - You are fired


Try it and see what happens, you'll see I'm right.

The best thing to do at work is keep a very low profile and never complain.