Right up until those below average HR people break the law or allow managers to break the law and the company gets in trouble and no scientists or other R&D people want to work there.
I would really hope "not breaking the law" doesn't require an "above average" HR team. As long as it isn't bottom of the barrel you should be fine.
...if I was really cynical, I might say that one of the reasons you might want a "world class" HR team is in order to break the law, or come really close to the line, without getting caught, in a way that increases profits.
...if I was really cynical, I might say that one of the reasons you might want a "world class" HR team is in order to break the law, or come really close to the line, without getting caught, in a way that increases profits.