[thrawa8387336]

Pretty much, though I would not say they go together. 2nd paragraph is just a separate conjecture.

Personally, don't need that much evidence; are we old enough to remember the hiring gentleman's agreement in big tech?

Let's also not forget one of the main functions of HR, as an industry, these days: friction. You think salaries (and inflation) wouldn't go up if hiring managers had more freedom?