Can HR department be in a cubicle where non HR employees can overhear conversations?

Question

Where should an HR department be located in the office?

Answer 1

HR should be in an office where the door can be closed for privacy and confidentiality.

Answer 2

I know that it's not always possible for a company to give everyone a closed office instead of a cubicle and probably every professional can argue that they deserve a closed office.

But I do feel that for meetings, a person in HR needs an area for privacy where other employees cannot see them going into (to avoid employee speculation and the grapevine that results). So, if they cannot have a private office, they need at least a private conference room for meeting with employees away from prying eyes and ears.

Answer 3

Hmmm.. Well I'm an HR major right now in college. I think the HR department should have a closed office.

Answer 4

I used to work in HR. I think its alright for HR staff to be in cubicles but if they are discussing confidential information, they should go to an enclosed room where people could not hear the conversation. HR files should also be kept in locked drawers.

Answer 5

I think the HR department needs to be a separate office from all others. You are dealing with "employee" issues and private information on individual employees. It is not any other employee's business on his/her fellow co-workers.

Answer 6

They should be, but our office is moving am I am going from an office to a cubicle. Employees are not happy about it and neither am I.