If it were me in this situation, I'd take a look at my finances first, and consider when was the best time to leave if I had to, (i:e is it worth hanging in the

If it were me in this situation, I'd take a look at my finances first, and consider when was the best time to leave if I had to, (i:e is it worth hanging in there, or is leaving ASAP consequence-free financially). Then do some research into new jobs. If the market is dead you may need to tread carefully. If when job-searching you get some "bites", you can take more risks. Once you have a plan for what to do if you get fired / job becomes untenable, then at that point, go have a frank discussion with your boss. Tell 'em what you told us. "I've done plenty for this company. Now I'm getting trash-talked by a coworker. I'm not perfect but this is unacceptable and I haven't got time or inclination for playing political games. What you gonna do about it?". It'll either (a) blow up in your face, "managed exit" or whatever, but at least you're planned and primed for that, and better off outta there. Or (b) you actually get respect for doing this, coworker gets the fall-out, you go back to happy times. Good luck. :). The moral as always is, particularly in the hyper-capitalist world we live in, today's great workplace may not be tomorrows's. But at least as decently paid tech workers we can save some "partial FU money" and have options other than treated terribly ......