Every entity is vulnerable to both good press and bad press, and that includes human resources.  And just like every entity, HR would prefer to maximize the positive press and minimize the negative press.  Sometimes, that is not possible.  Topping this week’s HR News headlines, American global investment management corporation BlackRock just saw its HR head resign over a policy breach.  Also making headlines, insurance giant AIG has a new person in charge of human resources as dose Dunkin Brands.

HR News

Policy Breach Forces BlackRock HR Head to Resign

Jeff Smith, BlackRock Inc.’s global head of human resources, has resigned.  The reason:  he failed “to adhere to company policy,” according Bloomberg News.  The article didn’t go into anymore detail than that.  CEO Larry Fink and President Rob Kapito said in a memo, “We expect every employee of BlackRock, especially our most senior leaders, to uphold the highest standards of conduct.”

In the meantime, Vice Chairman Rob Fairbairn will take over in Smith’s place until a replacement is hired.  Smith was responsible for recruiting, pay polices and employee benefits.  Before joining BlackRock, Smith was the VP of People Development for Time Warner Inc.

AIG has New Chief Human Resources Officer

American International Group, or AIG, has named the company’s new chief human resources officer.  In her new role, Karen L. Ling will lead AIG’s global human resources department and be “responsible for aligning AIG’s talent strategy with the company’s long-term strategic, operational and financial objectives.”

Courtesy:  AIG/Business Wire

According to Insurance Journal’s website, Ling will also lead the company’s human capital management consisting of talent acquisition, training, development, compensation and benefits and diversity and inclusion.  Ling was previously the executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Allergan.

Stephanie Lilak is Dunkin’ Brands New CHRO

Dunkin’ Brand Group, Inc. has chosen Stephanie Lilak as its new senior vice president and chief human resources officer.  Dunkin’ Brands is the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.

Courtesy:  Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

According to the company’s press release: 

Lilak comes to Dunkin' Brands from General Mills where she spent 23 years in executive-level human resource positions as well as serving as the operations leader for the company's largest U.S. manufacturing plant. In her new role at Dunkin' Brands, she will be responsible for global employee recruitment, training, leadership development, succession planning, compensation, benefits, and organizational effectiveness. She will also serve as co-chair of the Dunkin' People Systems Subcommittee where she will work with franchisees to create tools and programs designed to recruit, train, and develop restaurant managers and crewmembers.

"I am delighted to be joining Dunkin' Brands, a company with two of the world's most-loved brands and a premier franchising organization," said Lilak. "I look forward to working with the company's leadership and our franchisee community to develop and implement strategies designed to attract and retain top-tier talent for both the corporate entity as well as for Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins restaurants around the world."