As human resources has evolved over the years at The LEGO Group, Walton says, “We are more aligned with standard processes to support our increasingly global business.”
Michaud, Paynter and Walton all say that their certification helps them to speak the same language — the language of human resources. They agree that a different level of professionalism and set of knowledge come through being certified.
Joe Van Allen has worked quickly through a number of positions at LEGO Systems. He began in the call center and now works in recruitment. He has a master of science degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology and seems to have found his niche in human resources.
Van Allen, who holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) credential, says that certification has proven invaluable to him. “Becoming certified took me out of my comfort zone and broadened my interests in other areas.”
Van Allen says he enjoys his work in human resources because he believes “you can proactively support people before they need more serious assistance.” He says human resources can focus on keeping employees happy and energized when they spend a third of their lives working.
Certainly The LEGO Group is dedicated to children’s play and its employees’ satisfaction. The company is also committed to supporting the surrounding environments that its hubs and factories impact. In fact, according to The LEGO Group, its brand is more than its logo.
On its website, the company states, “It is the expectations that people have of the company towards its products and services, and the accountability that The LEGO Group feels towards the world around it.”
Cultural differences and global values are important, but what about legal compliance in various jurisdictions? How do you reconcile those differences across the organization?