Is Allan Leighton write to call HR 'mumbo-jumbo'?

A very interesting article inside the latest People Management magazine, raises an interesting question.

Are HR or Managers responsible for the people in their company?

The Royal Mail Chairman, Allan Leighton states in the article, that he views much of HR as "mumbo-jumbo" and says that they should be more strategic and less focused on day-to-day management processes.

I am wondering whether he also includes recruitment in these processes - I am sure he is!!

He feels that they should focus on creating policy, monitoring the progress and helping develop and train people within the company, and not focus on such work practices as flexible working or diversity.
I believe he is right to a certain degree, as many companies have empowered their managers accordingly with people responsibilities, and HR are sometimes seen as just the facilitators in processes. But it would be a major shift in thinking to downsize and redirect HR strategies, and give managers many of the tasks they don't like doing, wouldn't it?

Interesting indeed! So with the demise of the IT Directors in some large organisations, I wonder, have the Royal Mail started to sow the seeds for something similar within HR?