Jealousy is such an ugly thing.

I've learned after a conversation with my bosses that they think I'm trying to usurp their authority, which I think must be the reason for their betrayal.

This is in spite of numerous times of telling them that I didn't want their positions, didn't really want to supervise, that whatever titles I ever asked for were sheerly in recognition for work I was already doing, and had been for years. But instead their fears have turned to near-paranoia over the years, and that paranoia is negatively affecting their employees. Especially me.

If you kick a dog enough times it will bite or run away. I picked run away, and am transfering away from the toxic environment to hopefully more liveable digs.

I've always thought that you should hang out with the people you want to be like, and get away from those who are going to reinforce bad traits. This position has become one of those things to get away from.

Still, I turned it into as pleasant an affair on the face of it that I could, saying I wanted new challenges after years in the same position, and then going to their bosses to ask to be moved out. It wouldn't have helped to try and explain why and what was really going on, since they're too defensive to ever really listen.

I can only hope that my leaving will shock them enough to consider treating the rest of the employees better as a result. They can make up whatever they want, and blame me for whatever, but I really hope they treat everyone left with a little more appreciation. Who knows if they really will.