I agree with the member above with their valuable and well defined responses but, in addition to this I would like to start with a request to clarify “We hire only male candidates” and are you the only female personnel working with HR department with other male personnel or the only one female HR personnel there responsible for all HR activities?
-Have you ever tried to fill any position with female candidate in past in your company?
And, if yes, but you were not authorised to do so with any reason or by your seniors than what were the reasons and responses of your Boss/seniors in this regard, accept that they feel you are rude. Because the comparison with previous HR personnel is, obvious but to be rude is different thing and does not make any sense here that made me puzzle.
See some time, the old and small company/organizations where they still are running far behind from the corporate /advance work system and culture, feel not good with new work system and changes, and never accept it easily too. That is actually the problem with your company seems to me.
Third, as other and Anita said that you need to speak to your Boss/ seniors in this regard, you must do that, but you already have done this and got the result of your action like you said above that whenever you tried to speak to them on this issue getting accused and compare with previous HR personnel and work, therefore, now you not just need to speak to them but have to show them the need of new work system and required/ necessary changes for best working/ future and business. You have to tackle this with your mind with your wise action plan that will attract them and help you to convince to make changes.
In the situation as you are these days, advertently says that you are not fully authorised to take action in regard to development of work system there and it doesn’t matter to them whether you are operating an HR department in the company or not but are just assigned to handle and finish your work. So now it is really important to get them realize the value of HR department and personnel until then you won’t be able to make system better. Moreover, I would say you have a really good and big opportunity to work and learn from this but a big challenge to make this possible too.
Please list out the problems/issues that you have to discuss with your seniors
-changes that you require but for this you also have to be very wise and reasonable
-you have to limit yourself and need to be more tactful while dealing with your employees and seniors
-make the changes but start with slow and small changes, and for their implementation – (Example) if there are problem of late coming /attendance, lacks and employee responses in this regard, you can make necessary changes and let your Bosses know the effectiveness of these changes.
You said that your employees has attitude, behavior and other related of problems,
-you need to go for Behavioural Management Program or Individual Behaviour Management Plan by showing your seniors the effectiveness of these program, so that, you can convince them for conducting these program, because you can’t deal with this problem so easily and explain it as a problem to your seniors, also they not gonna accept it too.
-No need to be too nice or too professional - control over your reactions and response to all with whatever activity and your work, and do not let them get any chance to say you are rude (being soft but professional)
“Don't expect to bring change over night” Anita
Now hope you got many ideas to work with and I have made myself clear with solutions of your problem after the suggestions provided by other members
Best of Luck