@pedro Over my career in tech. Been there done that. Multiple times.

You as an employee are an asset on a balance sheet. When that balance is negative, the asset will be removed without emotion.

Also think about the perks you get. Is it food, laundry service, gym room. All nice. But notice how many perks usually land in the area of making it easier for you to stick around in the office.

Every perk has an agenda. Either to tie you to the company more (vesting stock options anyone?), or entice you to make longer days, or just make it harder for you to not be at work.

True appreciation is shown by a company by giving you cold hard cash, actual extra spare time, by handing you a perk where you remain in full control and leadership who act like decent human beings. (A financial contribution to a gym membership on your name is a much better perk than an in office gym room in my book.)

Luckily I now work at a place that values me as a person by giving me a decent salary, enough spare time, choice when and where I do my work and just perks that I can “own/use” in my own time.

It also helps that they love me doing side gigs next to my day job.

Also I pretty much always lucked out with leadership being decent people. I also noticed in cases where I was let go, by not becoming an angry emotional idiot I got much better exit deals. If you get fired, never ever let your emotions rule. It is simply a business transaction for the company. And just know that when you know your rights, you can always get a better deal. All initial exit offers made by a company are too low. Always. So always negotiate AND get counsel before agreeing or signing anything.