Motivation

I work in a huge system that appears to be honestly trying to revamp itself. During a recent evaluation, the boss, who is the evaluater made the statement that no one would be recieving an excellent or outstanding evaluation b/c "there is always room for improvement" In discussing my eval, it was clear that I have 'mastered' the set criteria and do go above standards- seeking new info, treatments, innovative ways to approach as well as taking on ancillary duties and completing extra tasks. I am not the only one on the team who does this AND there are some on the team who do as little as possible- one who sneaks out 2 or more hours early a few times a week, will not take on thngs that disrupt her personal schedule or require effort- she does less than the minimum asked from the 'team requirments', lies about where she is, sits in the front office and gossips w/ the secretaries ( who then drop the gossip to the boss, which then becomes some kind of truth.. unbelievable dynamics). This has been going on long before THIS boss came- long history w/ other worker and the old boss and I understand that to bring the other worker to task plays out into the larger politics of the place- age old why did this go on so long, etc. I am also sure that the statement 'there is always room for improvment' is an excuse NOT to give evaluations that lead to pay raises in the lower ranks. The person who does as littleas possible recieved the same ranking in evaluations as the rest of us- how disheartening it has been to work hard and get the same evaluation as this person. Just had to say it- I also have to say, I hate that discouraging style of managment- I'll continue to work hard, those are my ethics and I won't disrupt my inner self by being less than my self- it's just real disheartening.