The origin story of HR

The podcast explores the history and origins of HR, tracing it back to the industrial revolution and the need to manage a large number of workers. It discusses the two schools of thought during the early 20th century: Taylorism, focusing on scientific management, and Hawthorne studies, which emphasized psychological factors. The podcast highlights that HR's origins were rooted in welfare officers' roles, gradually transitioning to more active employment managers. It concludes that the ongoing debate about HR being a friend or foe is justified given its historical underpinnings.