“Also, I really don’t get where you get this “monopolistic practices” stuff from. “
Of course you don’t. Law is not a subject you have studied. brain dead HR bimbo type only know what corporate memos tell them. They have no brain to discern ethics and moral values. If someone else tells them they can do something they do it. Rare is it they ever have ethics or morals.
There you go, belittling women again. If there are any women in your department, I really feel for them if you have any kind of position of authority over them.
Oddly, when I was going to PhD school many years ago, I never dreamed that I would end up having to become an expert in contract and finance law, labor law, OSHA law, etc. I think I have enough credits there to get another degree--not that I want one, the PhD is enough.