Globally, HR has a trust problem.
Ask employees why they hesitate to go to HR, and the answers are painfully consistent: HR protects the company. It is not confidential. HR shows up too late. It has never worked my job.
Many employees carry scars from past experiences when speaking up led to retaliation, silence, or policy citations instead of support.
Data supports this skepticism. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, trust is built through competence, transparency, and shared experience, yet employees cite lack of transparency and distance from decision-makers as primary trust breakers at work.
This perception has turned HR into one of the most misunderstood and distrusted functions inside organizations. Jessica Winder, chief people officer, chose to dismantle that belief the hardest way possible: by earning trust one role at a time.
Why employees don’t trust HR
The distrust did not happen overnight. It is the cumulative effect of patterns employees recognize quickly:
HR policies written for worst-case scenarios instead of real people
Leaders who have never done the frontline work yet make decisions about it
Feedback loops that favor executives over employees
HR showing up after damage is already done
According to Gallup, employees who distrust leadership are significantly less engaged and more likely to leave, regardless of pay or benefits. When HR is perceived as detached from the work, trust evaporates.
This was published on Inc.com first.
Click the Inc.com link to read the full article: https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/how-leaders-can-step-into-the-realities-of-the-workforce-andd-build-trust/91306908
About the Author
From securing an $8M breakthrough inside a global fintech to being named CEO of the very platform she built, Netta Jenkins has mastered the art of turning bold ideas into lasting business transformation. With a LinkedIn community of over 200,000, she’s the CEO redefining how organizations drive employee engagement and performance through AI. A two-time Wiley author, Netta’s work has been amplified by Arianna Huffington to more than 10 million people. Her latest book, Supercharged Teams: How Every Manager Can Create a Culture of Excellence, gives leaders the playbook to transform everyday teams into high-performing powerhouses.
As founder of HIC, a workplace consulting firm and creator of HIC HR Hub, a private community for senior HR leaders to share and gain new insights. She also hosts Beyond Management™, a viral LinkedIn leadership series with over 50 million impressions, where she sparks street-level conversations that elevate employer brands, attract top talent, and inspire customers. A seasoned TEDx and international keynote speaker, Netta has energized audiences across the U.S., Ghana, the Netherlands, and Turkey with bold insights and measurable takeaways. With 15+ years of global advisory experience, she shares weekly video tips that empower managers at every level. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, McKinsey, Forbes, Fortune, and more. Named one of CIO Views’ Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow.
Netta helps organizations connect workplace culture, technology, and performance to deliver measurable, lasting impact. Previously serving as VP of Global Inclusive Strategy at IAC, Netta partnered with brands like Match.com, Vimeo, and Daily Beast. She advises Betterment, consults executives via the Intro app, and is pursuing a doctorate in quality systems. Currently, she collaborates with Marc Lore (former CEO of Walmart) and Preet Bharara (former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York) to build Telosa, a visionary new city in America. Residing on the East Coast with her family, Netta continues to make a transformative impact in both the corporate and startup landscapes.
