Been there. Sometimes the harder you work or the more you contribute, the less appreciated you are. Lesson learned, of course: Go where you are appreciated.
Btw, I don't go to these optional work meetings because I don't get paid for it.
The lesson I feel that was learned is don’t have the backs of subpar people who should probably be fired. They will turn around and get you fired and make up / shit on your name if they feel it betters their position.
I don't go to work meetings even when I am paid for it, given they're out of normal work hours. Why would I spend family time at work?
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