> I can't tell how much of it is random people projecting their cynicism onto the business world, or if it's people who have been part of bribery/kickback schem

> I can't tell how much of it is random people projecting their cynicism onto the business world, or if it's people who have been part of bribery/kickback schemes themselves trying to normalize the behavior online. I think most people don't understand the difference between an agreed to agency fee/reseller margin deal, a direct incentive program, and someone just taking money, on the side. Direct Incentives (also call spiffs) are where a supplier pays a bonus directly to the person who sold the deal. These are always agreed to between the companies and reported. Without permission of the employer, they could be very illegal or a major violation of your employment contract.