this is indicative of a much larger problem(distrust amongst coworkers)

The scope of the problem much much larger: the entire fucking culture IMO, assuming you are in the USA because I am and it sure sounds like you’re talking about this place.

I think it goes beyond distrust though. It is a lack of respect for human dignity (which leads to lack of respect for oneself) and for just being decent to one another so we can all enjoy our time on Earth a little bit more.

I have made a couple trips to Sweden of all places, and it’s wild seeing things like real glasses and silverware being available for any schmuck to use in a restaurant/airport/workplace. And then people put them in the dishwasher or return them to the kitchen when done! Little things like that seem so minor until you think about the deep seated issues it is revealing.