There. Fixed it.
The experience I had in 30+ years of computer programming for large banks and insurance companies was exactly what you stated. Risk and effort were not rewarded due to bureaucratized procedures that made reward impossible. Moochers or innocent bystanders would get credit for what you did. When an unqualified lady got a promotion that should have gone to me, I quit on the spot and retired. I have never regretted that decision.
Thanks for the addition Publius. I had tried using ‘regulated’ in that same position but felt that it was too vague so I took it out. You are spot on.
The experience I had in 30+ years of computer programming for large banks and insurance companies was exactly what you stated. Risk and effort were not rewarded due to bureaucratized procedures that made reward impossible. Moochers or innocent bystanders would get credit for what you did. When an unqualified lady got a promotion that should have gone to me, I quit on the spot and retired. I have never regretted that decision.
This is one of the big problems with working for a living. No matter the good you do, the recognition and reward for your work often disappears. Mother Theresa said, "Do good anyway," but there also comes a time when a man has to stop casting pearls before swine. Simply put, if you were running a business, and a difficult customer pestered you for extra goods, you might give them to him for a while to keep his business. But your accountant will eventually find you out. You'll have to tell your customer that he can't have any extra, because he isn't paying for it.
Employees are very good at determining what the employer will tolerate. Joe knows that Fred receives the same salary and makes constant mistakes, mistakes that Joe has to correct. Joe realizes that they are paying $50,000 to Fred for X, and they are paying $50,000 to Joe for 2X. The math doesn't lie, and Joe eventually realizes the fair market price for X.
What is Joe going to about it? A couple of books like, "Quit Your Job Now" offer helpful advice to those who will follow it. I'm glad you were able to retire and get out of it. The advice in that particular book was to find another employer who would pay you what you were worth. It does work, although it requires extra effort and patience, as well as the ability to relocate.