In some places, safety is treated much like human resources used to be. HR of old was Personnel, the record keepers, the compliance folks. HR was not always the home of “the best and the brightest.” Employees who deserved a place in the organization, but didn’t really fit anywhere, could be parked in Personnel.
In a gradual but dramatic transition, HR today in many organizations is an essential business partner, a staff function critical to the effective operation of the organization. Members of the HR profession have by and large made their case, told their story in compelling ways, and demonstrated their value. In many work settings, HR professionals today do not have to keep trying to get top management’s attention, and to explain and justify their contribution.