Did you know that since 2018, MBS has provided Human Resource consulting alongside our core services of bookkeeping, QuickBooks training, and business consulting?
At the start of 2025, we updated our terminology. What we once called “Human Resources” support is now “People Operations” support.
Why the change, you ask? Why does it matter? Because to us, words matter. Here’s why this transition is important.
Myth: Human Resources is the “fun police”
One of our concerns for a while is that “Human Resources” may have a negative connotation in people’s minds. Many American workers are familiar with the show The Office and, unfortunately, they associate HR with what they saw on that show through the relationship of boss Michael Scott, and Toby Flenderson in HR.
Their relationship was often strained, with Michael feeling like Toby was just there to enforce the rules and take the fun out of everything. Like Michael, some people view HR as the “fun police” – the one that says “no” every time the owner or a manager has a good idea.
Of course, this isn’t an accurate picture of HR. A great HR professional helps businesses identify risk, stay compliant with state and federal laws, and shape company policies and procedures. You know, “boring” things, like keeping up on payroll and HR changes, writing job descriptions, and updating employee handbooks.
Are these things always fun and exciting? Of course not! But they’re necessary. And often, having an outside HR consultant assist with addressing these “boring,” complex, and/or sensitive topics with employees makes it much easier for a company.
That being said, when you hear that MBS offers HR services, we don’t want you to just think of Toby – or some other version of the “fun police.”
Myth: Human Resources commodifies people
Secondly, we recognize that the term “Human Resources” can feel impersonal, focusing more on the management of “resources” rather than valuing individual people. This perspective can make employees feel like just another asset on a company’s balance sheet – like financial, physical, or intellectual resources within a company. It can lead to a transactional work culture where employees feel like cogs in a machine rather than valued members of a team.
When HR is solely focused on processes like hiring, compliance, and performance metrics, it can overlook the importance of employee well-being and development. This can reinforce the idea that workers are simply a means to an end.
A well-run HR department understands that people are the driving force behind an organization’s success. It values employees as individuals – each one with unique skills, aspirations, and contributions that shape the workplace and its future.
Fact: People Operations takes a holistic approach
We believe “People Operations” better reflects the importance of people as the core of an organization. While administrative tasks and policy-making are still essential, the focus shifts. It prioritizes creating an engaging, supportive, and empowering work environment. Employee experience, culture, and growth become the key drivers of business success.
More and more, employees want to do work that they believe is meaningful and makes a difference. According to Wellbeing at Work:
Gallup’s most recent global analytics concluded that a good job, with engaging work, is the very foundation of a thriving life.”
Fact: People Operations requires leadership
It’s important to emphasize that the manager remains one of the most important factors in employee engagement and performance. At MBS, one of our core values is leadership. It’s a topic that we like to write and speak about a lot.
Strong leaders set the tone for company culture by embodying the values and behaviors they want to see in their employees. Effective HR isn’t just about policies and procedures—it’s about creating an environment where employees can truly thrive. When leaders focus on qualities such as trust, compassion, stability, and hope, they create a foundation for HR practices that promote engagement, growth, and well-being. A leadership-driven approach to HR helps managers align the individual employee’s goals with the company’s broader vision, which drives overall success for the organization as a whole.
In summary, the myths surrounding Human Resources, such as being the “fun police” or treating people as mere assets, often lead to misconceptions about its true value. A strong HR function—or as we now call it, People Operations—takes a more holistic approach. It emphasizes leadership’s role in creating a positive workplace culture, supporting employee growth, and ensuring that people are treated fairly and respectfully. By shifting the language we use, we aim to emphasize the human side of business, reinforcing that employees are not just resources but are the heart of an organization.
If your company is ready to shift its perspective on HR or needs support with managing People Operations, we’re here to help! Whether you’re looking to outsource or just need a little guidance in a certain area, MBS is a trusted resource to help you create a thriving, people-centered workplace.