'It reflects where we are' | Viral TikTok sparks debate about HR's efficacy - is it right?

Social media presents opportunities for satirical portrayals of every subject under the sun, and workplace issues have become an increasingly frequent topic, with the pandemic putting more emphasis than ever before on the matter of employee-employer relations.

While many have generated plenty of likes, shares and viral fame for their creators, certain clips have started genuine debates about the responsibilities that companies have to support staff wellbeing.

In March, a US worker posted a series of TikToks revealing that he had moved into his office cubicle due to the cost of living crisis – raising questions about HR support for employees’ financial wellbeing. Weeks later, an HR professional found online fame with his takes on TikTok about how HR issues should be handled – rather than how they often are in real life.

The latest lampooning comes from English comic Ali Woods, whose video has sparked an online discussion about the efficacy of HR when it comes to issues such as employee health and wellbeing.