Man, companies really hate negotiating wages/benefits with a party that has equal power. Reminds me of:
Michael Scott : I am a victim of a hate crime. Stanley knows what I'm talking about.
Stanley : That's not what a hate crime is.
Michael Scott : Well, I hated it, a lot, okay.The Pinkertons are still active in union-busting, and they are retained by shiny "Great Place To Work"-type businesses. They're just covert now. When somebody is giving off too many pre-crime vibes at that kind of business, HR can easily get rid of them for unrelated reasons, and gaslight them into thinking it was their fault all along.
Never talk to HR. They are the secret police.
Like the police, they serve a function. talk to HR when you would talk to the police. When someone else is doing something illegal to you, and after you made sure that you have no exposure.