Does the HR rep know what they're talking about? Confirm via some definitive documentation. NEVER assume another civil servant knows what they're doing! 🥹

We also pay taxes, which means we're subsidizing our own salaries.

I've worked with and around too many PhD holders to automatically respect them. Earning a PhD is certainly an accomplishment, but it doesn't mean they have good judgement, a solid work ethic, or any sort of moral compass.

Man, you look like I feel.