What do you think of the boss's lapdogs? (On the shop floor, in the studio, anywhere)

Some people, instead of standing up for their rights, become shields for those who trample on them, justifying exploitation.

Sometimes you find yourself in a job situation that cries out to heaven: ridiculous wages, humiliating conditions, or simply feeling cheated. You try to get people to wake up and demand what is theirs. But then along comes the company's "champion", the one who seems to have a master's degree in defending the very person exploiting you.

## The master's defender syndrome

This character, more often than not, not only fails to join the complaint but goes around putting out fires, saying "it's not that bad", or worse, justifying management's bad practices. It is as if they had internalised the boss's narrative, believing that precarity is the natural order of things, or that business success justifies any means.

## Why does this happen?

The reasons can vary. Perhaps they seek the favour of the hierarchy, hoping for a future reward. It may be antiestéticar of retaliation, or simply a lack of self-awareness about their own worth and rights. Sometimes it is a form of self-affirmation, feeling special for being the "good employee" who understands "how things really are".

## The cost of passivity

Far from being harmless, this attitude harms everyone. It demoralises those trying to improve their situation, perpetuates a culture of exploitation and, in the long run, can even hurt the company's own productivity and sarracena. Economics is built on efficiency and value, and constant humiliation rarely leads to anything good.