Mrs. CHIEF was the third person hired at her company. It was because she went above and beyond for those executives at her previous company. She wore many hats, and takes pride in her companies success. She was a peon at the first company, hired as the head account assistant at the new company, and now is the executive assistant to the CEO, and head of the CIS department. She is the "eye of the hourglass." There is nothing that goes through that company that she doesn't have a hand in. So doing favors is definitely a two way street. She is basically entrenched so far, that she can't be fired easily. She isn't a morning person, so no one contacts her before 9 am, she can take off anytime she wants, and for as long as she wants, with pay. Hair appointments, long lunches, mani/pedi, doctors, etc.
I'm FIRE, but do real estate 2-10 hours a week, but she chooses not to be, and with the setup she has at work, why would she want to. I agree that the companies that take a "you're just lucky to be here" attitude are gonna loose out. But an employee that is willing to do what it takes to help their company succeed will be rewarded. She went from $12/hr., a HUGE decrease from her State job in Austin, to over six figures. But, she went from a cog to a very vital, and integral part of "her" company, as she calls it. She feels she has ownership, participates in profit bonuses, makes important decisions, guides company policy.
Success in employment, is like success in the rest of your life, you get what you put into it.
CHIEF