I apologize if it comes off that way. I don’t seek to discredit my accuser based on popularity at all; if I cared about perception of the situation from strangers I would not have created a throwaway account.

The reason I bring up my popularity with management and the quality of my work is because I want to understand the interplay between HR and management when it comes to advancement opportunities. Does one trump the other? Does HR get to make decisions about promotion/advancement? These are what’s important to me right now. Right now, my work and sense of purpose is the only thing keeping me from locking myself in my room and painting the walls with my brains.