HR is simply impotent, and it only serves as a rubber stamp; this is not only trues at Verizon but throught this industry. Anyone expecting an HR Dept. to play a role as an independent and just entity without a bias needs a rude awakening. HR is nothing but a body that only protects the interest of the company and makes sure that rules/policies are followed. It blindly takes instructions from upper management to take any actrion.
My 2 cents, do not expect much from HR departments they are toothless to take any actions indepedently. They act only by following instructions from parties in position and power with in the company wether right or wrong.