May 16, 2007
This letter to Guru from Disciple Graham is enough to make any man-of-a-certain-age working in human resources puff out his flabby chest, climb aboard his Harley Davidson and speed off down Route 66 (or the A3 - whichever is nearer)...
Dear GuruIt has finally happened - I have reached the age of 51. And whilst I was busy facing the inevitable decline in hearing and seeing, decrease in height, greying of hair, increasing wrinkles, abnormal body mass spread due to metabolism slow down, bone mass deterioration and steady decline in strength, I completely missed the reality of my life as explained in the "Have a rant" on p15 of Personnel Today's 15 May issue.
It's not that I dislike the thought of being middle aged (although I haven't seen too many 102 year old HR directors around) but whilst I was worrying about balding and decreases in testosterone levels I apparently have turned into a white, middle-class, middle-aged Daily Mail-reading woman.
Its not fair! I want to be a Wild Hog. Not a part of the mothers' union.
I sat in my local cinema last week with the giant "Go Large" popcorn, Diet Coke (watching my weight) and family size bag of Revels and was enthralled to see the first screening of Wild Hogs in my local cinema. I was thrilled to see the likes of John Travolta and friends looking greyer, chubbier, and more like me. Don't get me wrong, I love watching a hot movie kiss as much as anybody else, but the older I get the harder it is to suspend my disbelief when the male love interest is the same age as my grandchildren.
So, anyway, come on all you male HR Wild Hogs. Stand up and be counted!
Graham White
Head of HR & Organisational Development
Corporate Services
Surrey County Council
Guru would like to hear from any other male, middle-aged (40+) HR Wild Hogs out there. If there's sufficient interest he may even organise lunch at the famous bikers' hangout, the Ace Cafe London. E-mail guru@personneltoday.com and "get your motor running".
Comments (3)
Dear Guru, having just been inspired by disciple Graham's letter, I'm proud to 'come out' as a 54 year old male wild hog. Having been a 34 year old female blond called Fiona for the last 17 years Graham's idea sounds much more exciting (although I'll miss the Christmas party perks) ... I've for the first time today come to work in full leather motorbike gear and whilst it got some attention, it wasn't as good as when Fiona wears leather.... hey but early Days. Since I came out I've also discovered 217 male colleagues who have now 'come out', all over 40 and all who had previously pretended to be 30+ females in order to progress their careers in HR...... Well done Graham and Guru..
Neil Stoner
Human Resources and Training Manager
Posted by Neil Stoner | June 4, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on June 4, 2007 10:59
At long last I fit in to a group and don't feel I am trying to fact this HR challenge on my own. It is good to know that there are a number of us out there, possible even double figures, and that there is now a targeted drive to bolster the numbers. The good news is that we will be seen as the pioneers of the new wild frontier.
Keep up the great work.
Regards
Gary Waites
HR Manager
40 plus
Posted by Gary Waites | June 4, 2007 11:00 AM
Posted on June 4, 2007 11:00
Dear Guru,
Couldn't help but feel inspired by this Wild Hogs posting... and so felt that I must 'come out' and admit to being a 45+ male Wild Hog Training AND HR officer, surrounded by a myriad of females of varying ages, shapes and sizes.
Now, I've never felt the need to cross dress to hide my true identity, but have been known to wear pink shirts and ties in an effort to illustrate my self confidence in my own sexuality (hetro). Amazing how a smart suit and shiny shoes can still turn a few heads... and work wonders for one's self-confidence.
Well, must go. Off for my next Ballroom dance lesson... well a man's got to have a hobby!!
Nick of Shropshire.
Posted by Nick | June 5, 2007 11:07 AM
Posted on June 5, 2007 11:07