Nope, it's not cynical. Everyone needs to know that HR is there to protect and benefit the company, not the individual. There is a truckload of rules and laws that a company needs to comply with in order to not get fined or sued. Additionally, the company must coordinate the human capital which is why the department exists. Helping the employee is a side effect. It's not its primary role. Always keep in mind that you are not paying the HR employee's salary. It's the company. Therefore you are not the department's primary client.
Nope, it's not cynical. Everyone needs to know that HR is there to protect and benefit the company, not the individual. There is a truckload of rules and laws that a company needs to comply with in order to not get fined or sued. Additionally, the company must coordinate the human capital which is why the department exists. Helping the employee is a side effect. It's not its primary role. Always keep in mind that you are not paying the HR employee's salary. It's the company. Therefore you are not the department's primary client.