[kamaal]

>>Ultimately it comes down to the individual, and whether they want to be a cog in the wheel, or whether they are interested in both improving themselves and thereby improving their employer.

Yes this is important, but I think if your employer is in mood to listen. The next immediate step for you must be to start fishing for a job outside. And there is a reason for that. Your time is worth doing something important which is rewarding to you and your employer(I mean both in terms of value and financially).

Challenge the status quo and try to improve things, if you absolutely cannot(for reasons beyond your control) you must leave people to their state and move on.