Any HR folks or folks that have been through this able to provide guidance on how this process works/timelines/when your manager is notified (assuming it’s a complaint against the manager)?
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Like call the EEOC and file a law suit.
Do you think there’s anything you could’ve done to handle this situation differently?
Spouse is former HR, and confirms a lot of what is said here.
HR is not your friend.
I had huge issues with my manager. She gaslighted me, threatened me, chased my rating on my perf review etc. I am in NC so I took a recorder to every interaction with her (state law permits me to record with single consent). I built enough of a case that I went to HR and complained. Literally, 1 weeks after this I was called into the MD's office (her boss) and told that I should look for another job. How he found out and why HR did not investigate, is beyond me.
So NO HR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. They will sc--w you over to protect the company at any cost.
As an aside, I did get an attorney and WFC is freaking scared when this happens. He brought up retaliation and since I had some evidence to back it up, I ended up with a pretty severance.
NEVER GO TO HR OR CALL THE WHISTLEBLOWER AND ETHICS HOTLINE.
HR is meant to protect the company and management and not to resolve employee complaints. If you have a problem you have to leave the company period. Remember what happened to all the employees in the fake account scandal and reported it to HR and the Whistle-blower Ethics hotline they were fired and their lives destroyed.
Regrettably, what others are saying is true. HR is worthless. I completely lost respect for HR after my experience. The best thing to do is escalate to your manager's manager and hope for the best. Also, be on the lookout for retaliation from your manager. If your manager retaliates, make sure you have evidence and run it back to their manager.
My experience was working with a manager that was highly incompetent (as in I seriously believe a grade school kid could do a better job), poor attitude (would literally scream at people on calls when they didn't understand things due to their incompetence), would request admin access and sc--w things up and never took responsibility - despite the evidence. What this manager was competent in was stealing credit for other people's work. Also, they were competent in lying to the point where you may question your own sanity.
Many people went to HR and an investigation was launched. HR defended the manager. Despite clear, documented evidence backed by many people - HR defended this manager. Many people ended up leaving the bank or moved to other teams. I could state more, but hopefully you get the idea.
It may be worth going to HR to have a record on file (if that means anything to you), but don't expect much out of them.
If you value your job, do NOT engage HR.
If you have a LEGITIMATE beef, escalate to social media.
Amen here. If you complain to HR, you are just an absolute neusence that needs to go. You’re completely wasting every persons time, including our company, customers, and shareholders. Leave.
I would also add that the LOB has the final say in what happens. HR only makes recommendations.
I've known an employee that's been needed to be fired for years now. ER has constantly defended this person even though they are worthless. I find it humourous that folks think that HR doesn't benefit them. It's practically impossible to get fired around here for performance or lack there of. And no, I'm not the manager.
The person who brings the problem IS the problem. Always. No exceptions.
If you take a complaint to HR nothing will happen except that you will be seen as a whiner.
Someone I know once filed a complaint. He had emails, documented conversations, and what I thought was a solid case. Attrition was high in that particular department because of the manager. They interviewed last and present employees, who all supported the person's claim. They ended up solving it by saying the manager needed training. The person who filed the complaint moved to a new role because it had gotten unbearable. The manager was later promoted, and has moved on up the ladder.
I was threatened by a manager and “raised my hand” as others who witnessed it did. The case was closed before anyone from HR even TALKED to me. Once I pushed on that I got a “courtesy” meeting but was basically told it was my responsibility to resolve it or apply for new roles. Nothing happened to the manager. I will never report anything again. The process is a joke.
As others have said, HR is only looking out for the company. Unless what they are doing is illegal, it could backfire on you.
hr is not your friend
Think very carefully before you proceed with this.
The role of HR is only to ptotect the company.