Yes, your 3rd party email client uses your username and password to SIGN IN, which constitutes as signing in for Google.

It should have fallen on her manager to handle, and she should have put her foot down on that.

Head of HR is Linus’ wife. Yes, it is that bad. Even telling her manager, would have netted zero result.

and offers a true desktop experience in a handheld.

Awkwardly telling us it’s an unsuited Windows 11 installation on a handheld. Would not want it on my desktop, let alone on my unwieldy handheld.