I have been working with a Manufacturing company for last 1 year and 3 months.
In overall picture, I have worked on generalist profile like Employee Relations, Statutory Compliance, Leave Administration, Manpower Planning, Training & Development etc. more towards HR / IR & admin but somewhat got a lesser experience in Recruitment & Selection, Employee life cycle management.
So my question is that should I look forward for IR/ER field to make my career or as a being lady should consider HR as a safer career path?
Looking forward for all of your valuable suggestions.

From India, Pune
Male or female status may not be an ideal criterion to provide direction to your career.When you move up the career leader and occupy a senior leadership HR position, you may have to handle IR also.Therefore choose the career path which your heart beats for, because then only you can excel in it. Relax and rewind your likes, aptitude, strengths and tasks that you found comfortable and uncomfortable in the past an dthe reasons therefor etc, before taking a call.All the bst.
B.Saikumar

From India, Mumbai
Dear Saikumar,
Thank you for your valuable guidance....
I will think in this way......& My purpose behind asking this question was that as IR is very challenging & some what critical to handle...so would it make a difference while dealing with Labors because of gender ?
Any ways It's good to see that now we don't believe in gender bias culture...
Regards,
Snehalata

From India, Pune
Any competency is gender neutral.There are woman Heads of State who faced huge challenges and steered clear of them.There are woman CEOs who handle every critical function in the organisation including IR. There are woman Astronauts who barged into the once exclusive mail domain of space travel. Probably none of them would have started her career with the doubt in her mind whether I can do it, being a woman.They all broke the gas ceiling and proved themselves and some even better than their male counterparts.What IR requires is empathy, patience(listening), good communication, caring and concern and quick wit to anticipate a problem and to pre-empt it or if it happens, to settle it. Most of these traits come naturally to a woman. It's all in the belief system which one entertains.You are the best judge.However I appreciate you to have shown interest in IR. All the best.
B.Saikumar

From India, Mumbai
Hi ,
I think you should ask yourself weather you are suitable for IR or HR ?
Women can do anything if they wish .They are in corporate sector ,politics ,
even armed forces .....But surely not all women can join Armed forces .
Few women do .
While facing IR issues definitely you will face hurdles,oppositions and you
may be taken lightly by the workers as you are a woman .
It depends on your own confidence level ,determination , courage, patience
to prove yourself . With courage and determination any one can achieve anything .
So you have to do your SWOT analysis and then take decision .
All the best .
Regards
Rajeev Dixit

From India, Bangalore
Dear Rajeev ji,
I appreciated your contribution in this thread but some how above quote of you is not appealing to me.
Women can do anything if they wish. You have said it very rightly. Then why do you have a crunch in your mind that not all women can join armed forces?
Any thing is possible If there is a will. There are many many examples.
Women can do any thing if they wish to do it.

From India, Mumbai
Hello,

You have posed an interesting question!

Like some one said, competency is gender neutral and I agree totally with that.

Since you have been working in a generalist role, I presume that you have a fair idea of what the function is composed of.

My question is what aspect of the function attracts, challenges and promises you satisfaction? Pursue that choice.

Having said that I need to explain a bit.

1) In our country IR is largely confined to the manufacturing sector and lacks somewhat the glamour quotient.

2) White collared unionism still remote but not too remote.

3) Compliance needs one to deal with (most of the times) corrupt officials of various enforcement agencies under various applicable laws and the managements may NOT always be patient either to stand up for the "right" or to "buy" peace either with employees (represented whether by internal or by an external trade union) or the government officials.

4) Are communication skills, determination, management of human behaviour-individual and the collective, a never say die spirit a part of your personality? Can you withstand isolation against a tide of populist approaches (where "the ends will justify the means" philosophy is in evidence). It may even succeed albeit in the short term and certainly NOT in the long term.

5) Are you flexible and receptive, yet firm in your convictions?

6) Do you keep up with new "learning" and "upgrading" yourself all the time?

There would be many more questions that you will have find answers to through hard and objective INTROSPECTION.

IR being a power oriented function (or so do many people feel), it is easy to get "infatuated" with it. If you choose to make a career in IR, it cannot be light-hearted decision.

Presently I suggest that you deliberate with what is said in this post and should desire or be tempted to take the dialogue further, you are welcome interact further in a sharp focus but for the time being, let us deal with this first step and then decide whether to proceed further or not.

I am willing to help all the way. You may rest assured of that!

Regards

samvedan

September 11, 2013

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From India, Pune
Hello Rajeev & Samvedan,
I did self introspection and found that I am fond of IR/ Compliance area more over HR.....
Strength I consider for myself is Knowledge & Skills...
But need to work on my ability ie. little bit loud & outspoken.....having more and more interactions with Associates....to make my self more aware of market intelligence....some times I get so overworked with my daily work & priorities so I loose time for interaction...working in a small organization you may understand the too much load of work pressure...
Can anybody suggest me some effective practical training sessions which can help me in gaining the extra edge?
Regards,
Snehalata

From India, Pune
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