Chief
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Do folks in PE Ops work during weekends?
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BCG > Bain or Bain > BCG?
Where did you all move to Toronto from?
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What’s a return to work meeting? Like, bringing people back to the office? But I do think it’s normal for people to feel nervous when summoned to any kind of a meeting with hr.
Chief
It was a sickness return meeting, not office recall. I find it telling that “HR meeting” instantly equals fear. That perception says a lot about how our function is experienced, not just how it is explained.
You don't. HR has a reputation none of us as individuals can change. Being transparent and communicate does help, but it's not enough to make employees feel warm and fuzzy toward HR as a whole.
Chief
I hear you, but I do think we can influence it locally. I cannot fix the global reputation of HR, but I can control how people feel walking into a room with me. Consistency builds trust over time.
HR should feel like a partner, not a place of punishment. When employees fear being in trouble, it’s a sign we need more trust-building, transparency, and genuine human connection. Support should actually feel like support.
Chief
That is exactly what stayed with me. If someone expects punishment instead of support, something in the system has shaped that fear. I think small everyday interactions matter more than big culture statements.