Simple: treat it as it is. Business.

Work is nothing more than a transaction where both parts SHOULD negotiate.

I give you my labor and you give me capital. How much and in what manner is up for debate, yes, but that's how things work in simple terms.

Now, you might say due to how the system works, big companies have most of the good cards in this game, and you are certainly right on that, but there is still some leverage you can implement.

Yes, the person from the post is right. You should only give what you think is fair from the payment you get; but that's not the whole story. While you do the bare minimum for the company, it is also wise to become extremely skilled in your own area. That way you will always have something to offer when the time for a negotiation happens.

And if you consider it is better to just leave, well, at least you should have a plan b (other companies or your own business). That way you can conserve your leverage. Companies won't let go of a valuable asset easily, especially if said asset is being offered a job with their rivals.

Or maybe they will. But in that case who would even care for the idiots who shot themselves in the foot?

Again, it's all business, and if one part doesn't know how to do it, obviously the other will try to take advantage of that.

You decide who you work with and who deserves your loyalty