How far would you go for the money?

If I had to reply to this discussion at least a decade ago, I guess my answer would be in favor of a job where I'm bound to be happy without considering the amount of the salary. And I guess if I'm in your friend's shoes, I would immediately say goodbye to that company. If my memory seves me right, I have already encountered a boss like this when I was still working with the first job I had after graduation. He would often speak as if I know nothing of my job. I felt really insulted then but I stayed in the company because I needed working experience. There was even one particular incident where he told me to inspect a lot title and its specifications, which was really not my line. But because I wanted to prove to him that I'm not an idiot and am not what he supposes I am, I tried my best to give him an appropriate and intelligent feedback on the title. Much to his surprise and amazement, I acted like an experienced appraiser/verifier and gave him a reply which prevented the company from lending funds to a prospective borrower, because I saw loopholes on the lot title myself. After this, my boss thought that I knew a lot about property titles and somehow, he stopped badmouthing about me. However, I'm already married for more than five years now and my husband has no stable job at this time. In other words, I'm the breadwinner of the family, with all of the expenses placed on my shoulders. Aside from this, we have a daughter who is turning three in two months time. To add up with the burden, the soaring prices of commodities is just tieing us down and almost drowning us in debt. So to cut it short, I don't mind a lousy job just to acquire a legitimate high pay. As a matter of fact, my husband and I have considered working abroad even for just a short period of time; for our daughter's education. But honestly, I'm still hoping and praying that my dream of having our own family business will become a reality sometime in the near future. With God's help, I do believe that we will be able to pay-off all our outstanding obligations and still have enough savings left for the family.

your friend's situation is indeed heartbreaking. i myself have been in such a situation - an injustice is done and there is no way it can be undone, the office becomes intolerable. i have a very high admiration for people like your friend, people who are able to endure for the sake of being able to support the family. but... in my case, i left. i believe that when someone merely endures oppression in the office/ratrace milieu, there is no way at all that the situation will improve for that person. she or he has in a way, set the pattern: it will be ok for injustice to be done upon his/her person. i'm not saying your friend should leave. i just think he/she has to learn to assert and protect herself/himself in the workplace.