This story is clearly intended to make HR people happy. HR should not be in any role of judging a candidate or employee. They are there to facilitate things and

This story is clearly intended to make HR people happy. HR should not be in any role of judging a candidate or employee. They are there to facilitate things and smooth'en things out. If you assume that they have any authority or hierarchy over other departments/staff you are doing HR wrong. Most of the software companies do it right. Smarter engineers do not work for companies that value superficial skills like the one's mentioned in the story.