Transparency – Why Is This Concept So Hard for HR to Grasp?

I keep coming back to politics this week. It’s hard not to when our entire country was so focused on the election and the news media, entertainment world and everyday people are still so saturated with it. One of the things that may change in January is how transparent business in Washington may become. To go to a website and be able to see where our tax dollars are going before the senate approves the spend sounds like something that should already exist, but it doesn’t.

I marvel at how the government is ahead of many corporations in this country on the subject of transparency. The dot comers appear to have learned their lesson with the last dot com bust as this NY Times article points out. But many others are still afraid of simply telling people the truth. And as they try to tell the world, it is not a matter of timing the message, because if it was, the message would come out from them at some point. The message doesn’t come out. Whether it be layoffs, profits at private companies, or most often hiring policies and benefits.

It needs to change. I don’t know about you but I am no longer willing to work for a company that isn’t up front with me, especially about their work/life flexibility. No more bait and switch. If you are a company that offers flexibility you need to prove it to me. How many employees do you have? How many work flexibly? What kind of flexibility options do you offer? When and why can flexibility be taken away once earned?

I understand in this economy, HR may feel that they hold all the cards. But there is a reason the talent shortage is still being discussed even as the unemployment rate climbs. HR still needs to find talented people today, and more importantly 5, 10, 15 years down the road. Those talented people aren’t sitting home hoping you’ll call, they’re networking and finding a great company with a great employer brand that walks the talk that they want to work for.

If you live in the Boston area, here are some companies who understand that transparency and flexibility are good for business and a great article on why they find flexibility to be a competitive advantage.