[MindofMan]

I agree -definitely look deeper and ask why you care so much about doing the job to the best of your ability. Will you get a pay raise in synch with your improved performance? No? Then why not apply your conscientousness to one of your own personal projects? Especially if you are working alone at first. You'll be able to concentrate and make really effective use of time. Worked for me!

Otherwise, I'm not sure there are many answers. When I worked for a large US multinational, I had the same problems. The company one day fired me (petty middle management office politics - I was actually very productive, which ironically is one of the factors leading to me losing my job - making a senior look lazy!).

I look back and ask myself why I cared so much. I wasn't even really doing anything, even when I was being effective - it's all bureaucracy that most people on the planet couldn't care less about. The company sold widgets to banks and insurance companies. That's it. Nothing special. With most of these companies, you are cog in a machine. Even if you are really effective, you can be replaced.

If you have to stay there, take it easy on yourself. Don't bust a gut for a company that may not care about you.