HR Stereotypes IRL (In Real Life)
This item is always within arm’s reach on an HR desk.
What is a stapler?
“Low-hanging fruit” refers to this type of task.
What is an easy work?
What is a pizza party?
HR’s version of cardio.
What is “Chasing down lies”?
The first thing everyone says when joining a Teams call.
What is “Can you hear me?”
People assume HR only shows up when this happens.
What is someone’s getting fired?
“Bandwidth” refers to this, not your internet.
What is your ability to take on more work?
This sitcom is practically required HR training on what not to do.
What is The Office?
HR’s motto when someone says “I didn’t know the policy.”
What is “It’s in the handbook”? Also acceptable: Look in the handbook.
The default response when someone drops off mid-sentence.
What is “I think they froze”? Also acceptable: They must have a bad connection.
HR's favorite phrase when online meetings go sideways.
What is “Let’s take this offline”?
“Let’s not reinvent the wheel” usually means this.
What is “Copy what someone else already did”?
Per my last email...
HR’s favorite type of feedback.
What is “Constructive and sent before 5 p.m.”?
The only time your camera quality is 4K.
What is when you look terrible?
HR is often seen as the “fun police” because of this reason.
What is enforcing the rules?
Starting an email with "Just circling back" means this.
What is "Did you see my email?"
In Friends, Ross got suspended over this HR offense.
What is yelling “We were on a break!”?
The most common reason people say they’re late.
What is traffic?
This thing never works when you actually need it to during a Teams call.
What is screen share?
HR people never hear this phrase: “Doing _____ are fun!”
What is Investigations?
"We're pivoting" means this.
What is "Changing Everything"?
This fashion CEO gave the most intense performance review ever.
Who is Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)?
You only look at this after something goes wrong.
What is the employee handbook? Also acceptable: The policy
This interruption usually means you’re about to be tied up for 30 minutes to an hour.
What is “Quick question” or "Got a sec?"