"Karma" but not really. Before I got my promotion, I was disrespected and maligned in both blatant and in subtle ways. I was new and a hard worker that upper-management liked and recognized and that made me an
easy target. I was talked about behind my back. My family history was researched online and gossiped about. I ignored it all. I remained calm. I was hurt but I stayed focused, I worked hard, and I got my dream job. Those same people continued to attempt to undermine me after I assumed my new position AND 56% raise. I continued to ignore them. I was too busy being happy. How the tables have turned. A new position has opened up on my new team, and I will be part of the hiring panel. And my new boss, whom I adore, places great value on our team's (and I love my new team) opinions about candidates. And she has already started gathering our opinions on certain people who may apply. And I am providing her with my honest experiences and opinions about "those people". Moral of the story: It matters how you treat people at work. Eventually.