why hell yes.... it is alive and kicking.. (Score 0)

being in the IT field for 20+years, 10 at the present company.. I, like others, are looked over for advancement, even showing dedication to the company, long hours, and very thorough, courteous and all the other traits you look for.. still I have not progressed in the chain.. They hire others over me for the positions that I have worked long hours and proven myself to be worthy of. And even worse the person hired over me has less experience than I .. every time.. Sure it is dependant on the company.. but I would say that a hell of a lot of companies are the same as mine.. All I can say is it is in God's hands. You will eventually reap the benefits of your labor.. or at least so I have been told many times over :)....