HR Jerks

This is a good one. It speaks volumes about why employees don't feel comfortable going to HR. Don't be an HR Jerk!

Is it right for my HR manager to come directly to me to lecture me about my OT, or is she supposed to go to my immediate supervisor?

I am working for my former employer on a temporarily basis because the previous employee (who took my place when I quit) was fired for stealing a customer's credit card.

We have mandatory meetings (or they were when I used to work here) once a week, and we get paid overtime for attending.

So, I attended the last 2 weeks worth of meetings. HR came to me to ask why I was working overtime. She asked me if I really thought it made sense that I get $22 for coming in an extra 2 hours, when I'm only temporary. I explained no one told me NOT to come, so I assumed it was still mandatory for me.

So she says "Well, that's not the point, I'm talking budget-wise. You're probably going to be here for only 3 more weeks, you really think anything in that meeting will be in effect by then?" (she doesn't even know what happens in the meetings).

So then I ask her "Well it already happened, so what now?" She says she's not going to sign off on my overtime.

Is that right? I feel I could have said something in defense, but I was unprepared at the time. Now my co-worker is saying she was supposed to talk to my boss, not me.

Is there anything I can do?

Generally, HR people know or have access to what the budget is for cost of labor for the entire company (or business unit they support). They are also generally supposed to support their management clients by teaching them things like just how much labor really costs. The managers then go forth and operate their business units as they see fit - taking HR's advice or not.

So, basically, unless your company is set up so that this HR person has just as much power over an individual manager's budget as, well, the individual manager, she has no business even talking to you about this. She should be talking to your manager. And while she's at it, she should drop the passive aggressive attitude. It reeks!

Why does she have to sign off on overtime? Is she your manager's manager? I'm guessing not. She has an over developed sense of power, methinks.

Furthermore, if she does not pay you for overtime already worked, she is breaking a federal law. I would bet the box of SweeTarts I just bought that she is also breaking your state's wage and hour law, even though I don't know what state you are in.

I would do the following:

• Go to your manager and let him or her know what happened. Don't freak out, just tell him or her the facts and your concerns.

• Ask your manager if you should be attending those meetings or working any overtime. Do what he or she says.

• If the HR Jerk comes to you again to complain about working OT, politely tell her that you are following the directions of you manager and she should take her concerns to him/her.

• If she does not pay you overtime, tell her there is a mistake on your check. If she says she won't pay you the overtime you worked tell her that unless you are paid for the work you performed you will be forced to make a wage claim with your state labor office. Just be matter of fact and professional about it.
  

• Odds are, she will pay you. If she doesn't, get online and find out how to make a wage claim in your state. If you need assistance doing that, let me know.

Source: http://hrwench.blogspot.com/2008/07/hr-jerks-ask-hr-wench.html