Because it is a job that needs to be done and someone is willing to pay for it. For some people it may be the best job they can get.
I understand why no one likes human resources. They are there to protect the interests of the business and it is in the best interest of the employee to interact with them as little as possible. On the other hand, they are a useful resource for managers. HR frees them up from many of the administrative tasks for recruitment. They are a resource for management when they need to know something about compliance with labour regulations. Whether it is a compliance issue or the desire to retain an employee, they may just save your behind. That isn't to say that you should approach them directly. You need an advocate, otherwise they will probably view you as a liability. If you don't have that advocate (e.g. a manager or a union representative), then good luck!
i mean if hr was just doing those things no one would complain. I get there's some nuance to the responsibilities of an HR department but interactions usually seem to be biased towards protect the company, not make peoples lives easier. So i think it takes a certain kind of person to actually be able to do that effectively.
