It’s no wonder that human resources (HR) professionals don’t run out of the office every day screaming the chorus of Marvin Gaye’s acclaimed hit “Mercy, Mercy Me.” Dealing with negative co-workers, management failures, involuntary terminations, conflict resolutions, bad bosses and surprise mergers and acquisitions are among the top 10 issues that are on HR’s daily list of things to do. The sheer complexity of these issues have left people believing that HR professionals can’t possibly have a sense of humor when the list consists of serious matters that would make other professionals runaway and never return to work.

 

Hence Carol McBride’s inspiration for HR, Where’s Your Freaking Sense of Humor?, which is the first in a series of anecdotal creative nonfiction books about HR follies based on her personal experiences over the course of her 20 year HR career. She also draws inspiration from HR mentors, colleagues and friends who were there on the days when she faced HR issues and situations that were complex, mindboggling, heart-wrenching and downright treacherous. When asked how she navigated through the unique but trying situations and challenges, she simply states, “with a respectful sense of humor, of course.”

 

Each chapter is filled with moments that she believes all HR professionals, despite their tenure, can relate to and draw inspiration from or simply look back (or forward) and know that they are not alone on this tumultuous emotional HR roller coaster. Her mission is to alert HR professionals near and far that it’s perfectly acceptable to have a sense of humor, even when dealing with some of the most serious HR dilemmas and drama queens and kings.

 

Also included in each chapter are McBride’s real-world experiences, industry statistics, quotes from subject matter experts, HR best practices, and recommendations on how to navigate through challenging HR situations. As an added bonus, McBride also includes hilarious cartoon illustrations that depict situations in the chapter to further invoke laughter and capture her humor.

 

McBride’s goal and hope for readers is that they will laugh, when the situation may make them feel like crying or giving up and throwing in the HR white towel. She wants to encourage HR generalists, specialists, business partners, analysts, directors and vice presidents to stay in the ring but remember to return to their respective corners (better known as HR colleagues, chapters, associations, or self-help groups) for words of encouragement.

 

You see, HR professionals are among the best cut men and women in the business, and they will have plenty of Vaseline and Band-Aids to mend those proverbial cuts to the heart and confidence. Once the wounded are on the mend, compassionate HR professionals will advise their colleagues to get back in the ring and keep fighting for their internal customers (i.e. employees) that depend on them to fight all 12 rounds everyday.