[BigV]

Lots of good points made here Nirvana. I especially agree with the position that the primary role of HR is to manage the resources of the company that are of the human type. Any benefit to the individual is a coincidence.

As for the comment by a coworker... that sounds hurtful. Sorry to hear that. But work history not withstanding, I'm sure you've had the experience of people saying shit about you that was untrue, irrelevant, slanderous, or otherwise fucked up. Having it happen in the workplace is much the same, only you can add unprofessional to that list. The ways you've dealt with that bullshit outside the workplace would work inside the workplace too.

It's the same people after all, but just in a different context.