In this blog post, OMNI Senior Consultant Roger Dusing, PhD, offers an overview of how the name of the department that manages employment, employee relations, benefits, etc., has evolved over the decades, and what it all means. (Image from Shutterstock)
When I was new to the workforce, the department that managed employment, employee relations, benefits, etc. was call “Personnel.” The national organization for “personnel” people was the American Society for Personnel Administration (ASPA). Then in the 1980s, a new name came into being: “personnel” evolved into “human resources,” and the ASPA became the Society for Human Resource Management, or SHRM.
As Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.”
Why all the fuss? Well, sometimes names matter. Personnel became HR in an attempt to acknowledge that people are an important asset to the organization. This change signaled that people are an asset that an employer needs to manage strategically, and HR was now more frequently invited into the C-Suite. Jack Welch famously said that his two most important direct reports were his CFO and his CHRO (chief human resources officer). Now, the reality was that the duties of HR were not substantially different than the duties of Personnel, but the name change created awareness and opened some doors to creative thinking.
And now the times are changing again. Some are trending to HCM – Human Capital Management. The intent is to acknowledge that for many organizations, people are their largest category of expense, and that investment needs to be well managed. Personally, this one bothers me a bit, as it feels like it relates just to the fiscal aspect. I know that’s not the intent, but it is a perception.
Other organizations are using “people” where they used to use “human resources.” You’ll see the terms “Chief People Officer” or “People Operations Department” used more frequently. Is there a difference? It depends on whom you ask. Some will say the difference is simply branding. Very few individuals have a people operations problem, but they’ve all had HR problems.
But others draw a larger differential. Some will say that HR focuses more on compliance and efficiency while People Operations is about effectiveness and development. Another author describes People Operations as more about the employment experience, with more nurturing and growth, while HR is all about enforcing policies and doing what they’ve been told.
Well, as a long-term HR guy, I take some offense to that characterization, but I agree with Shakespeare. If you want to call it People Operations to improve the brand, go for it. But what really matters, regardless of the name, is what you do with it. All organizations need a well-functioning (and sufficiently funded) department that:
Unfortunately, lots of organizations still have “personnel” departments, regardless of what they are called. These departments are relegated to administrative tasks and ensuring compliance; and they are rarely consulted before there is a problem. The heads of these departments typically report to a CFO or other executive and are rarely considered an equal when they do get to address the executives. This is a problem, not in what the department is called, but in the culture of the executives. It is a culture that often derives from history – if a leader has never seen a great HR department, then they don’t know what they are missing and are satisfied with their “personnel” department.
If we are going to change the name, then let’s take the opportunity to also change the culture. Let’s ensure that all executives understand what the department can do, and let’s make sure that the department has the money and talent to do that. As People Ops staff, let’s expect more from ourselves and make sure the rest of the organization knows what we are all about. People Operations, here we come!
Note: The quote is from Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II – Juliet says this to Romeo suggesting that she has no problem with him being a Montague when she’s a Capulet. Now you have some culture in your day.
Roger Dusing, PhD, is a Senior Consultant and the Higher Education Practice Leader at OMNI. He previously served as Chief Human Resource Officer at Park University for eleven years. With over 40 years of HR experience, including 30 years in C-suite level roles, he looks forward to reflecting his passion for higher education in his work to bring affordable, high-quality HR services to small- to medium-sized colleges and universities.
Roger holds a PhD in Business Management, with a concentration in Human Resources from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University. He also authored the book “I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable About the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.”
JONNA BRANDEL
HR Consultant
Jonna comes to OMNI with 10 years of human resources experience and 15 years of risk management consulting experience. As an HR Consultant, she will provide strategic support to clients in recruiting, workplace safety, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and performance management. Prior to joining OMNI, Jonna was Partner and Senior Director of Client Services for The Brandel Group, a boutique consultancy specializing in providing independent, objective reviews of organizational and risk management challenges and needs. Other previous roles include Business Development and Project Manager at The Lion Partnership, as well as Insurance Analyst and Regional Director at Expense Reduction Analysts.
LAUREN TRACY
Recruitment Operations Manager
As OMNI’s Recruitment Operations Manager, Lauren serves as the operational hub for OMNI’s Talent Acquisition Team, including coordination of proposal development and administration; project tracking, monitoring, and reporting; and general oversight of departmental systems, processes, and quality control. Lauren comes to OMNI from Payne & Jones, Chartered, where she served as a Legal Assistant for almost seven years, and Front Desk Receptionist for just over a year. Her comprehensive experience in client relations and project management make her an excellent fit for her new role. When she is not at work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
Karen serves as Senior Consultant to select outsourcing clients, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership. Karen provides HR guidance, coaching, and counseling for her clients, with an emphasis on start-ups and fast growth companies. Her background includes 13 years as Executive Director, HR Services, at Applebee’s International and Director of Training & Organizational Development at Gentiva Health Services. Karen attended the Executive Leadership Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. In addition to her talents in HR, she is passionate about helping women achieve their full potential and has expertise in strategic business meetings and conferences, serving as President & CEO of her event management company.
MOLLY ADAMS
Human Resource Specialist & Membership Concierge
Molly has been with OMNI since March of 2020 and has strong experience in customer service and human resources. Molly serves in two roles for our clients. As HR Specialist, she works with our clients’ hiring managers to ensure that the new hire process is efficient for all new employees. As Membership Concierge, Molly serves as a key liaison with OMNI Membership clients, helping responding to their questions and helping them to access tools and resources. Molly graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Administration and gained a certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts during her college years. Though she no longer bakes on a professional level, she does still enjoy indulging in fun desserts and pastries. In her spare time, Molly enjoys spending time with friends, family, husband and two young children, and enjoying all things Kansas City. She looks forward to communicating with clients and to assisting them with all aspects of the hiring process.
ROGER DUSING, PHD
Senior Consultant & Higher Education Practice Leader
Roger comes to OMNI from Park University, where he served as Chief Human Resource Officer for eleven years. With over 40 years of HR experience, including 30 years in C-suite level roles, he looks forward to reflecting his passion for higher education in his work to bring affordable, high-quality HR services to small- to medium-sized colleges and universities.
Roger holds a PhD in Business Management, with a concentration in Human Resources from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University. He also authored the book “I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable About the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.”
Roger enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and four grandchildren. He and his wife are addicted to pickleball.
Debi joins the OMNI team with over twelve years of prior Human Resource experience in benefits, payroll, and associate relations. In her role at OMNI, she serves clients and their employees with all payroll and benefits related inquiries. Previously, Debi worked at the Kansas City Zoo in the Finance and Human Resources departments. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, watching movies, doing crafts and spending time outdoors – especially at her favorite place, Powell Gardens.
TERESA WESTHOFF
Employee Services Consultant
Teresa joins the OMNI staff with experience in payroll and other related human resource knowledge. She will be helping our clients by facilitating payroll, benefits and onboarding. She has a master’s degree in human resource management and enjoys the new challenges every day brings. When Teresa isn’t working, she enjoys working out, traveling, watching Netflix, and hanging out with family and friends.
ANN CRIPE
Senior Consultant
Ann is a strategic business partner and HR leader across multiple disciplines of human resources. With a passion for building strong partnerships with her clients, she enjoys understanding the business and providing solutions in the areas of employee relations, compliance, leadership development, talent management, recruiting, training, and compensation. She has over 25 years of human resources experience in a variety of industries including PEO, legal, technology, energy, insurance, and nonprofit. Ann has a Bachelors’ degree in Psychology with minors in Management and English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In her spare time, Ann enjoys wellness, interior design, hiking and spending time with her husband and daughter.
MEREDITH HAUCK
Senior Consultant
Meredith brings more than 15 years of multi-disciplinary executive-level leadership to her work with OMNI as a Senior Consultant. She is skilled in organizational structure and management, strategic communications, employee relations, and leadership development. Meredith also utilizes her training as a certified executive coach to guide and counsel individuals and teams. Meredith has a Bachelors’ degree in Journalism and a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Kansas. Outside of work, Meredith enjoys traveling, volunteering, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
STACEY COWAN
Senior Consultant
Stacey Cowan brings nearly seven years’ experience as Membership Director for the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce to her work with OMNI as a Senior Consultant. While at the Chamber, she led membership recruitment and retention efforts and represented the Chamber in the community, building an extensive network of relationships to strengthen local businesses. Prior to that, she held several leadership roles in the hospitality industry. Ms. Cowan’s wealth of community involvement and business development experience will be an enormous asset to OMNI’s steadily growing Executive Search practice.
Kelly’s past roles include Director of Human Resources at Woodside, where she was the first to serve in such a role. While at Woodside, she implemented a new payroll system and was instrumental in streamlining operations and efficiencies through the development of new policies and procedures. She also optimized hiring and onboarding functions, restructured the performance review process, and assisted in staring up a new property management company. Kelly has a long history of working with payroll and benefits and has held leadership positions at Hyvee, Home Depot, and Westar Foods. She is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother of two young grandsons.
KELI TUSCHMAN
Senior Consultant
With 20 years’ experience working in HR, Keli views herself as a businessperson, as well as an HR professional. Her background in accounting has also been a plus for her understanding of the business environment that HR supports. Keli has worked in the energy sector for Koch Industries and Merrill Lynch, in Higher Ed and K-12 education, and has served on several non-profit boards. She is a strategic partner who can provide services in all areas of human resources to support your business needs. Keli and her husband have two high school age children and love all that the Kansas City area has to offer families.
Prior to joining OMNI Human Resource Management talent acquisition team in 2020, Ms. Hoffman led the talent acquisition teams at Kansas City Southern Railway and Sprint world headquarters. She has over 30 years’ experience in HR management and talent acquisition and is recognized for partnering with senior leaders to identify needs, translating them into initiatives that attract, develop, and retain top talent. Ms. Hoffman holds a graduate MSM degree from Baker University and a BS degree from Pittsburg State University. Outside of work Karen enjoys traveling both domestically and overseas.