I have worked for a few companies throughout many years. After I saw what was happening at work places, I decided to be emotionally detached from the people I work with and only do what I am paid to do. I don’t know how many people feel the same way.
At my first job, I was paid only half of the market salary. I always go in early and stay late, I was the boss’s favorite employee, I felt stable and happy even though the pay was not good. But after 6 months, the boss must felt that they locked me in, they started to change my work hours, the reason being “you are very important to the company, we need you”. They asked me to work on weekends. Even though I was super upset about it, I agreed. Then when I requested for vacation, they would always find reasons to ask me not take my vacation because “you are too important for the company, we need you”. I took my vacation anyway, but they would call me every day, so I always end up working. I thought I would get a raise because of my super performance or because “I am very important to the company”, the boss did say that he was going to give me a big raise, but never said how much and when. I asked a few times, no answer. Then I found other employees were getting raises, those people were the worst employees, they do nothing but complain and bitch all day. As I see more and more of the same thing happening, I started complain and bitch just they those crazy employees I dislike. Then somehow the boss decided to give me a big raise and bonuses.
Lesson learned, bosses don’t pay what you are worth, they only pay what you fight for.
At my jobs, I used to get very emotionally attached. I tried to do everything to help the company, save money for the company. But they always end up throwing the money to “con artist”, people who are good at bullshiting, just know enough to be dangerous and fuck up everything. When I warn them, they cut me out of projects, when they can’t figure out how to fix it, they ask me to clean up their mess. Those bad decisions lead to no one getting any raises. I was the one hurting the most, because I really cared and worked hard.
Lesson learned, don’t get emotionally attached to work, they will always fuck up one way or the other. I do what I am paid for, that’s it.
Now I tell people, job is non essential to me. Job doesn’t define me. I am going to take care of myself and live a happy life. If any job gets in my way of a happy and healthy life, I quit.