4 ms·

I think the problem is the older generation of tech workers are not mercenaries. I know a lot of older tech workers supporting important business systems while

I think the problem is the older generation of tech workers are not mercenaries. I know a lot of older tech workers supporting important business systems while their skills slowly become out of date. They are frequently adding $1 million+/year in value while being paid ~$100-$120k/year. The businesses would pay $250-$350k/year if they had to. If the older workers were demanding the premium and saving the $100-$150k/year extra after taxes then being out of the job market for a year or two to reskill wouldn't be a problem. Luckily most of the younger generation are very mercenary and are in tech for the money. So it's a problem that hopefully will fix itself.

quickthrower2 8y ago
> The businesses would pay $250-$350k/year if they had to. Extraordinary claim
- sheepmullet 8y ago
  What makes you think so? Do you think they would sooner cut off their nose to spite their face?
  - jones1618 8y ago
    I've worked in tech for 30 years and never experienced a single company that does math the way you describe: "I.T. generates or saves us $X million per year therefore we'll share that with frontline developers." Ha, puhleez. In my experience, you'd consider yourself lucky to work for a company that sees I.T. as a strategic/operational advantage (and not merely a "cost center") and therefore pays its staff 10% better than market average plus bonuses. Unfortunately, I've worked for truly "I.T. forward" companies like that and still seen a merger or buyout completely flip the culture. Overnight I.T. salaries and budgets were seen as indulgences and people were laid off or quit in droves. The one thing I've learned about this industry is that no matter how innovative or adept an engineering department is, an exuberantly stupid executive team can completely squander and destroy that asset surprisingly quickly.
    - sheepmullet 8y ago
      > therefore we'll share that with frontline developers." Ha, puhleez. Like I said "if they had to". You still have to make a compelling case. Surely you have seen teams with 3 solution architects when they don't even really require 1? Or teams with contractors who have been in the same team on contract 5+ years? The problem is most senior devs don't even collect the information they need to make a compelling case. Like if I asked you how much more productive are you than a new (3-6months) senior dev on your project? Would you be able to show me? I'm ~14x more productive on my current project than a newly hired senior dev and can give you the jira queries to prove it.

quickthrower2 8y ago

> The businesses would pay $250-$350k/year if they had to. Extraordinary claim

sheepmullet 8y ago
What makes you think so? Do you think they would sooner cut off their nose to spite their face?
- jones1618 8y ago
  I've worked in tech for 30 years and never experienced a single company that does math the way you describe: "I.T. generates or saves us $X million per year therefore we'll share that with frontline developers." Ha, puhleez. In my experience, you'd consider yourself lucky to work for a company that sees I.T. as a strategic/operational advantage (and not merely a "cost center") and therefore pays its staff 10% better than market average plus bonuses. Unfortunately, I've worked for truly "I.T. forward" companies like that and still seen a merger or buyout completely flip the culture. Overnight I.T. salaries and budgets were seen as indulgences and people were laid off or quit in droves. The one thing I've learned about this industry is that no matter how innovative or adept an engineering department is, an exuberantly stupid executive team can completely squander and destroy that asset surprisingly quickly.
  - sheepmullet 8y ago
    > therefore we'll share that with frontline developers." Ha, puhleez. Like I said "if they had to". You still have to make a compelling case. Surely you have seen teams with 3 solution architects when they don't even really require 1? Or teams with contractors who have been in the same team on contract 5+ years? The problem is most senior devs don't even collect the information they need to make a compelling case. Like if I asked you how much more productive are you than a new (3-6months) senior dev on your project? Would you be able to show me? I'm ~14x more productive on my current project than a newly hired senior dev and can give you the jira queries to prove it.