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Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Southborough Assistant Town Administrator Vanessa Hale, left, speaks as part of a panel on the relationship between municipal managers and human resources professionals during a joint meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources on April 16 in Salem. Also pictured are panelists Katherine Bird, center, assistant town manager for administration and operations in Ashland; and Wakefield Town Administrator Denise Casey. Town Administrator Molly Fitzpatrick, standing, far left, moderated the panel.
A joint meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association and Massachusetts Municipal Human Resources on April 16 in Salem discussed the evolving role of human resources in municipal leadership.
The meeting began with a conversation about the relationship between managers and HR directors, moderated by Westwood Deputy Town Administrator Molly Fitzpatrick.
“These relationships are so important,” said Katherine Bird, assistant town manager for administration and operations in Ashland. “Draw clear lines in the beginning and be direct: ‘What do you want me to do and not to do? When do you want to hear from me?’ Always find time to prepare together before going into a meeting and then find time to debrief.”
Recognizing busy schedules and the fact that many municipalities have half-day Fridays, Southborough Assistant Town Administrator Vanessa Hale and others suggested blocking off time on one or two Friday afternoons a month for managers and HR directors to check in.
Arlington Human Resources Director Caryn Malloy discussed the importance of HR directors and town managers being a united front, and the message that it conveys to employees.
When dealing with employees, Malloy advised, “Stay boring, be consistent, and be fair.”
The panelists then discussed how human resources is shifting from transactional to more strategic and supportive roles.
“HR is data-driven,” said Wakefield Town Administrator Denise Casey, “and managers don’t accept that enough. So ask to be more involved in planning processes.”
Hale urged MMHR members to get more involved in the budget process.
“Managers are looking at the bigger picture, and HR has great foresight and can identify employee skill sets and assist with succession planning,” Hale said.
The session concluded with a discussion about how managers and HR professionals can work together to guard against employee burnout. Panelists emphasized the need to get out of the office and increase “face time” with department heads and other employees.
To build camaraderie, Casey shared that she always starts meetings with “connection before content.”
Other ways to foster a stronger workplace culture and inter-departmental connection include establishing fun committees and creating cook-offs.
Bird encouraged managers to “be open to creative ideas.”
The meeting also featured a legislative update from MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine.