HR Highlights: 20 Fun and Unexpected Facts

From quirky recruitment practices to unusual team-building strategies, these insights will leave you both entertained and informed. Dive in and discover the lighter side of HR!

1. Birth of HR

Let’s start our list of fun facts about human resources with this one. The first HR department was established by the National Cash Register Company (NCR) in 1901 during the labor reform movement. This pioneering initiative was created to address employee grievances, workplace safety, and training needs in a systematic way. NCR’s innovative approach to employee relations would later become a model for other companies seeking to improve their workforce management.

2. Ancient Rome’s Military HR

Ancient Rome had a sophisticated human resources system for its military. The Romans maintained detailed personnel records, established clear job descriptions, and implemented performance evaluations for their soldiers. Their military HR practices were so advanced that many of their basic principles, such as hierarchical organization and clear chains of command, are still used in modern HR management.

3. The World’s Largest HR Operation

The world’s largest HR department belongs to the U.S. Department of Defense, managing over 3.4 million employees worldwide. This massive HR operation handles everything from recruitment and training to benefits administration and retirement processing for both military and civilian personnel. They process over 350,000 new hires and handle millions of HR transactions annually.

4. Edison’s Revolutionary Interview Process

The concept of the job interview was pioneered by Thomas Edison. He developed elaborate questionnaires and tests for potential employees, including a famous 146-question test for hiring managers. Many candidates found these tests impossible to complete, leading to speculation that Edison used them to identify innovative thinkers who would question conventional wisdom.

5. The 40-Hour Work Week Revolution

The 40-hour work week, now standard in many countries, was first implemented by Henry Ford in 1926. Ford discovered that reducing working hours from 48 to 40 per week actually increased worker productivity and decreased employee turnover. His revolutionary decision influenced workplace standards worldwide and became a cornerstone of modern labor laws.

6. Origins of Performance Reviews

The practice of annual performance reviews was first developed by the U.S. military during World War I. Officers needed a systematic way to evaluate large numbers of soldiers for promotion and assignment decisions. The concept was later adopted by business organizations in the 1920s, leading to the widespread use of performance appraisals.

7. The First Corporate Training Film

The first corporate training film was produced by Westinghouse Electric in 1912. It showcased proper safety procedures and work techniques for employees. The film was such a success that it sparked an entire industry of corporate training videos, revolutionizing how companies approached employee education and development.

8. Birth of Employee Benefits

The concept of employee benefits originated in the railroad industry during the 1850s. Railroad companies began offering pension plans and accident insurance to attract and retain workers in this dangerous profession. These early benefit programs laid the groundwork for modern employee compensation packages.

9. Remote Work Pioneer

The first documented instance of remote work dates back to 1973 when NASA engineer Jack Nilles worked on a complex communication system from home. He coined the terms “telecommuting” and “telework,” predicting that technology would eventually allow many people to work effectively from anywhere. His vision has become increasingly relevant in today’s digital workplace.

10. Record-Breaking Mass Hiring

The largest single-day mass hiring in history occurred during World War II when the U.S. government hired over 100,000 people in a single day to support the war effort. This massive recruitment drive required unprecedented coordination and led to innovations in rapid hiring processes that influenced modern recruitment practices.

“People are not your most important asset. The right people are.” – Jim Collins, an American author and researcher

11. Corporate Childcare Innovation

The first corporate daycare center was established by Stride Rite Shoes in 1971. This groundbreaking benefit was designed to help working mothers remain in the workforce while ensuring their children received quality care. The success of this program inspired many other companies to offer similar family-friendly benefits.

12. Employee Stock Options Pioneer

The practice of offering stock options to employees was pioneered by Pepsi-Cola in 1956. The company wanted to attract top talent without spending large amounts of cash on salaries. This innovative compensation strategy has since become a standard practice in many industries, particularly in technology and startups.

13. First Professional HR Organization

The first professional HR organization, now known as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), was founded in 1913 in the UK. Initially called the Welfare Workers’ Association, it was established to promote the sharing of best practices in employee welfare and workplace conditions. Today, it has over 150,000 members worldwide.

14. The Original Resume

The concept of the resume was invented by Leonardo da Vinci in 1482. He wrote a letter to the Duke of Milan, listing his capabilities and experience in a format similar to modern resumes. This innovative approach to self-presentation became the standard for job applications centuries later.

15. Birth of Employee Feedback

The first employee suggestion box was implemented by the Scottish shipbuilder William Denny in 1880. He created a formal system for workers to submit ideas for improving shipbuilding processes and offered monetary rewards for successful suggestions. This early example of employee engagement continues to influence modern feedback systems.

16. First Corporate University

The first corporate university was established by General Motors in 1927. Called the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), it was created to train automotive engineers and managers. This pioneering approach to corporate education inspired many other companies to develop their own internal training programs.

17. Origins of Workplace Diversity

The concept of workplace diversity initiatives began in the 1940s with President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 8802. This order prohibited racial discrimination in the national defense industry and established the Fair Employment Practices Committee. These early diversity efforts laid the groundwork for modern workplace inclusion programs. Isn’t this fun fact about human resources?

18. Pioneer in Employee Wellness

The first employee wellness program was introduced by Hershey Foods in 1910. Milton Hershey built recreational facilities and provided healthcare services for his workers and their families. This holistic approach to employee well-being was revolutionary for its time and influenced modern corporate wellness initiatives.

19. Digital HR Revolution

The first computerized HR system was implemented by General Electric in 1955. Using an early IBM mainframe computer, GE automated its payroll processing and employee record-keeping. This technological advancement marked the beginning of the digital transformation in human resources management.

20. Flexible Working Hours Innovation

The concept of flex time was first introduced by German aerospace company Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm in 1967. They called it “Gleitzeit” (sliding time), allowing employees to start and finish work at variable times. This revolutionary approach to work scheduling has become increasingly popular in modern workplaces.

Sum Up

Exploring fun facts about human resources reveals a whole new side of this essential field, filled with surprises and insights that go beyond the ordinary. From innovative hiring practices to unexpected workplace trends, HR is more dynamic and engaging than many realize.

These fun facts not only entertain but also highlight the creativity and thoughtfulness behind building great teams. Share these tidbits to spark conversations and appreciation for the art of managing people!

Tags: culture, employees, facts, hiring, hr.