The only time the HR department has been a great help for me was in a layoff situation. I was part of a general 20% cut a few years ago, and the layoffs were staggered over six tranches spread over four months. Why the spread? To avoid reporting requirements that would trigger with that many people leaving at once.

I was slotted for the last release. At the end of the summer. Just before my kids would return to college / high school. The first release was in May. I could spend the whole summer thinking about what to do next, and beach days with my kids.

So I told management, I am out of here in May. They said 'no, and if you leave, you lose your vacation pay and severance'.

So I called HR, explained my thinking, and told them to get me out of there in May. Management was not happy, but HR took full responsibility for the moved date. And I got to spend a glorious late spring and early summer lazing about before reentering the work force.