If I may use your quote "which maybe speaks for how we are regarded by our employers here".
Nobody dishes the truth regardless of where you are. Your government airs lies, your bank cheats on you, your doctor might possibly tell you of some ailment to increase the rate of visits and cashing in the dough, your car repair station is finding some discrepancy and all of a sudden you are robbed legally; your employer either north or south, east or west somehow tricks you...and you know what?
Head down, and through with it...if you can better your personal situation do it, and if not refer to the head down thing.
Just a thought
