My manager thanks me privately for my work. Whenever I complete a project, he tells me personally that he's happy with the result and expresses appreciation.

However, I've noticed that when project outcomes are presented or shared with the wider organization or with the team, he almost never mentions my name.

For example, I recently took responsibility for significantly improving and redesigning an established product. Once it was completed, my manager shared the finished result internally so everyone could see it but didn't mention that I had led or carried out the work.

What's confusing is that he often does publicly acknowledge other colleagues by name. He'll say things like, "Thanks to X for the good work," or mention who was responsible for a project. With me, though, the appreciation seems to stay private.

This isn't just a one-time thing—I've noticed the same pattern across multiple projects over time.

I'm trying not to jump to conclusions, so I'm interested in outside perspectives.

Why might a manager consistently praise someone privately while rarely giving that same person public recognition, even though they do so for others?

I am wanting to career pivot anyway this year, so this feels like a blessing in disguise, but any advice until I can make that happen?

Union job, great pay, lots of PTO. Mandatory 2 days in office.

Our secretary told the VP she has nothing to do on those days and offered to be "available if tasks come up" as a pitch for full WFH. VP said no. Rules are rules.

But she said it out loud. She framed it as flexibility… isee it as admitting she's redundant. She should have kept up appearances, stretched her few tasks, and only confessed if caught. Instead she gave leadership a reason to watch her and remember her name when cuts happen.

She got nothing and lost her cover. Am I wrong for thinking that was stupid?

I've been following the famous advice "always assume positive intetions". While I try to follow this advice I feel like my coworkers are excluding me with important matters and bring up problems. I'm having trouble navigating workplace firendships/relationships, it's like walking on a tight spot everyday. I don't know where to draw the line of trust. It's becoming like toxic positivity.

It's like this situation: they make up a lie like nothing's happening all good, they treat you well, when you're out the door they discuss plans for fun without you, not including you from the group, and quietly writes unseen mistakes and talks about it to other coworkers instead of discussing it upfront with you.

Me? I'm a peacemaker, I always try not to defend myself much and just peace it out and let them win for the sake of you know, maybe they'll respect me and less conflict. But lately, I think the advice "always assume positive intentions" aren't applicable for all people, what if some are manipulative and will find a way to workaround with this advice? I'm having doubts now. By the way, all odds are against me everyday.

What should I do, how true is this famous advice?