Background: I work as a mechanical engineer at a startup in India.
So basically during the past year, my employer has reduced my pay during lock-down periods by up to 50% while still having me work from home. I completely understand that company finances are very tight especially in hardware based start-ups. I however do not like the fact that my employer finds creative ways to diss my work saying that it is incomplete or improper or does not meet standards just to justify my reduced pay. I know what he's saying is complete BS as he himself doesn't understand what he's talking about and has an external consultant ensure that my designs are as per code. So far the consultant has approved all my work without any issues. I know that I am a stellar employee and my boss says so frequently himself.
But him docking my pay while having me work as well as patronizing my work has resulted in me building up resentment towards my boss as well as the company.The pay is not so much the issue but rather the way I am treated.
I no longer put in any unpaid overtime (very common in India), I don't even answer phone calls or emails after work hours. I no longer offer to help out my colleagues who need help (this means putting in unpaid overtime), I no longer jump at opportunities to volunteer responsibility, I don't care about building vendor/client relationships anymore, etc.
I feel however, this resentment has caught up to my work and shows up in my work. I feel that the quality of my work has decreased as I no longer put in my full effort, just the bare minimum that is required. I am a person who takes a lot of pride in my work and I'm at a total loss on how to go about resolving things.
I'm currently on the hunt for a new job and am afraid that this mentality will carry-forward into my new job hindering me from being my best self and contributing to the company to the fullest.
To wrap things up: How do I get out this mentality and back to being my best self?
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.