They could useful from an operational standpoint to make sure your resources are being allocated effectively if they focused on process improvements for the company that nobody else has time to test and implement. For example, HR should be keeping track of performance and worker satisfaction working from home; they should have data about performance and satisfaction in the office and compare it, be up to date on hiring and salary trends and have an opinion on what is necessary and appropriate in terms of perks and salary to hire competitively. This is all useful.
There is also a perception issue, as in my experience it feels like they are usually just there to print off some information about health insurance for you and run useless exercises.
They could useful from an operational standpoint to make sure your resources are being allocated effectively if they focused on process improvements for the company that nobody else has time to test and implement. For example, HR should be keeping track of performance and worker satisfaction working from home; they should have data about performance and satisfaction in the office and compare it, be up to date on hiring and salary trends and have an opinion on what is necessary and appropriate in terms of perks and salary to hire competitively. This is all useful.
There is also a perception issue, as in my experience it feels like they are usually just there to print off some information about health insurance for you and run useless exercises.