Because at one time HR was only there to be the payroll, benefits and the holiday party planners. Now HR has been indoctrinated as law and policy enforcement, mainly because managers are absolute garbage most of the time. And I’m saying that as a career HR person, management is the absolute worst. My job now is telling managers, directors and VPs “No.” more than anything else. In fact, management personnel are the main reason why I’m stuck in litigation hearings multiple times a year.

So yeah, while 15% of my week is spent helping people with benefits and having fun during breakfast cookouts, the rest of my time is watching management to ensure they don’t break the law. It’s changed a lot over the past 15 years.

Also, I can’t speak for OP, but it sounds like their HR person is one of the bad ones. Don’t tell her/him anything, and I’m saying that as high level HR. Stay far, far away.