I don't expect to ever be rid of HR, but can we as an industry at least collectively stop pretending that HR is on the side of the employees? This is a pervasive, explicit lie that's told by HR departments everywhere.
Sometimes I wonder how HR personnel sleep at night.
Oh, they sleep quite well: it's nice work, if you can get it.
The workload is incredibly low, and the hardest task is to find something new to do this year at the Christmas party. Because of huge legal responsibilities nobody will actually pay attention to, the salary is fairly good as well. Since the policies you enact are all drawn in accordance with (and full knowledge by) upper management, you can't be held personally accountable of anything anyway, so when/if shit hits the fan, the company will cover you with all the power of their legal team.
The rest is all corporate doublespeak, not unlike what you'll experience in any other managerial job. I bet you met at least one direct superior, in your life, who told you he was on your side vs the company/upper management; chances are that he was being as honest as any HR personnel will ever be.
Sometimes I wonder how HR personnel sleep at night.