[moocow01]

I've been in similar scenarios (as Tom) and it usually boils down to inspiration. As soon as someone gets overloaded and piled on its very difficult for them to feel inspired or at all good about their work. Instead they feel trapped under an increasing workload and consequently feel unappreciated by the organization. You can't feel good about your efforts when your head is always barely above water. From there its a downward spiral.

I've always quit after giving management a warning in the past when this occurs because I feel it borders on exploitation and usually signals something wrong with management and the business as a whole. The real problem is Tom should have quit much much earlier to find a healthier environment.