Most people would rather talk to a friend or colleague than anyone in HR if they're having work-related problems, says a recent survey by Opinion Research Corporation.
The Ouch Point survey, performed by the Princeton, N.J.-based market research firm, found that about 25 percent of respondents doubted the ability of HR professionals to keep information about work-related problems confidential. But U.S. workers are twice as likely to talk to someone other than the HR department about work.
Only 22 percent of those surveyed said they would seek help from their HR department, 39 percent said they would talk to a friend, and 66 percent said they would speak to their manager about a work problem.
The survey also found that older employees were less likely to seek help from HR than their younger counterparts. Based on the findings, only 17 percent of those over the age of 65 were likely to seek help from HR, compared to 32 percent in the 18 to 24 age group. Trust in HR also differed according to age group. Only 33 percent of those in the 55 to 64 age group had confidence in HR to keep details of work-related problems confidential. And those in the 18 to 24 age category had even less confidence (22 percent) in HR to keep information confidential.
For more information about the survey, visit Opinion Research Corporation.
Written by Jenny Cromie, certified human resources specialist (CHRS)
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