My loyalty was a gift you didn’t appreciate. My expertise is now for sale to the highest bidder.

I’ve given this company 11 years of my life. I was the first one in and the last one out. I worked through my honeymoon, took calls in the hospital when my son was born, and did the work of three people during every “restructuring” for the same paycheck. I thought that kind of loyalty meant something.

But during my annual review last month, my new manager—who has been here for six months and barely knows my last name—poured on the praise about how “essential” and “loyal” I am. Then he handed me the paper: a 3% raise. In this economy, that’s not a raise; it’s a pay cut. When I asked if it was a joke, he just shrugged and said the budget was tight, but they “really value” me.

That was the moment I realized “loyalty” is just corporate speak for exploitation. I didn’t quit right away. For two weeks, I did exactly what my job description said—nothing more. No late emails, no overtime. Then, I went to our biggest competitor. They offered me a 40% raise and a signing bonus on the spot.

When I handed in my notice, my manager panicked. He started talking about how we’re “family” and offered to double that 3% raise. I just smiled. I told him since the budget was so tight, I was helping him save money. My loyalty was free for 11 years, but my expertise? That’s going to cost them a fortune to replace.