Your future is based on your status (pay being a part of that, but not all). Not only do you get behind, pay-wise, you can also end up being pigeon-holed as a.

Your future is based on your status (pay being a part of that, but not all). Not only do you get behind, pay-wise, you can also end up being pigeon-holed as a... "grunt", for lack of a better word. Users/abusers prey on the weak, and once you demonstrate willingness to take such behavior, they'll keep returning for more. Look at it in the context of what is, these days, seen as a corporation's main mission: To maximize returns for owners. And in today's management environment, returns are measured across a quite short timespan (that often does not accomodate the timeframe required to foster employee growth and development). If they demonstrate the ability to get your services for less, they will continue to try to do so. I've had exactly one boss who was different. He brought me in, internally, from an underpaid, overburdend position (with a classic and widely acknowledged "user/abuser"), and he pushed for and gained 10% plus increases -- multiple, within a year -- for me in spite of a rather draconian pay freeze. He did this according to the original schedule he promised, and even surprised me with some additional increases I had not expected at those specific times. Concurrently, my "status" in the company went from... "line worker" to multi-divisional talent, directly consulting (outside of my original, direct responsibilities) with the senior management of two divisions responsible for about $1 billion in aggregate revenue. I worked my ass off in that position. And, senior management hijinks and HR BS aside, I enjoyed it. Working with this manager was a pleasure, because he would really challenge what you were doing, but once you demonstrated that it was correct, he'd simply trust you and let you get on with it -- also, despite being a manager, pitching in directly to confirm and cross-check results, supportively rather than suspiciously. My point is that, in the end -- and the sooner the better -- you can basically ignore everything that management is saying and simply look at their actions. If they treat you poorly, expect more of the same. It's up to you to treat yourself better, because they sure aren't going to do it. Secondly, good management does exist. Keep looking, or, as they say, "become the change you seek" (start your own business).