exactly correct.
NEVER go to HR unless you have a strong contact at HR or you have something in writing o recorded that the manager has said.
Been burned by HR in the past after getting fed up with a hostile work environment, and they called me a liar. Wish I was making this up.
Right now, I have a personal policy to never go to HR, but to look for a new job if in a bad situation with management.
Good luck.