I may agree to @Rajkumar on certain points but certain points are baseless allegations or can be purely "perception"
What emerges is not a friendly, warm, supportive image; but an obstinate, stubborn bully who refuses to listen, who is insensitive to see the other's viewpoint, who thinks s/he is always right. Yes. There are professionals like this. It is because of their attitude and inadequate leadership orientation. In any other profession, people may not consider this as so serious but it is a truth that employees are expecting their HR to listen, sensitive to team, communicate well with all. HR should be a person with so much patience and ability to empathize
A small criticism, and the HR fraternity; instead of "listening" with sensitivity to the woes and pains of others; is on the defensive; rather on the offensive - this fellow must be taught 'the lesson' !! Yes. There are professionals like this
Why can't we accept that most often the HR are callous and insensitive. They lack the technical competency to understand their own functional areas (not to speak of the business operations). No. I think we should not generalise it. In your personal experience, you should have met such HR's in a particular industry vertical. I do agree there are HR folks who fits your definition and lacks functional knowledge...but here who's fault it is? CEO, right
Compare it with the technical competency of Finance people. Even though they are also not technical persons, they understand operations to an extent that they can allocate costs and revenue at each step; point out wasteful expenditures, audit the system etc. See, HR also doing similar kind of exercises, where managements delegates power to do this. There are companies who consider HR as strategic business partner.
It is very rarely that I come across an HR who is soft-spoken, humble, warm, enthusiastic, friendly and sharp. Rather, such qualities are looked down upon, and an HR who acts like a 'policeman' or a bully, is preferred !!!
It is your experience. Experience can influence perception to a large extend. Next time, when you meet another HR, this perception will make you biased. Even writing this, that bias would have influenced you, that is quite normal. A single person in a profession can also spoil the image of the profession. Unfortunately in India, we don't have any strict code of conduct
like that of Chartered Accountants or Audit for HR.
It is the king-size ego that an HR acquires (due to his situational proximity with the management or the "Big Boss"), which spoils him/her beyond redemption. Yes. There are professionals like this. It is because of their attitude and inadequate leadership orientation. Hope they will get acquainted with the latest developments in HR and change to Social HR
However, I would like to repeat again....
HR job is one of the most critical job in any organization, irrespective of its size. Quality of HR department depends on the person who sits in HR Office and more importantly delegation of power and management style by CEO and investors. Another critical aspect for success of HR department would be level of understanding with line management folks.