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Agree with you, but it's physically impossible for all developers to merely find a better job. Some can, but not all can, because of the limited number of compa

Agree with you, but it's physically impossible for all developers to merely find a better job. Some can, but not all can, because of the limited number of companies out there. As a result, we really should force employers to treat us better rather than viewing us as replaceable. They also need to learn that their way shouldn't be the only way.

fhbdukfrh 8y ago
How do you force employers to treat you better, some sort of artificial regulation? We've never had greater labor mobility, remote options or demand for software developers; I question your premise of limited number of companies.
- toomuchtodo 8y ago
  Unions. Laws. Collective action. Artificial regulation.
  - anoncoward111 8y ago
    I would agree with you, but my gf is a unionized respiratory therapist. Not only are her colleagues and managers extremely mean and unprofessional to her, the hospital executives are actively training the non-union nurses to replace the union respiratory therapists, because "cost".
    - rue 8y ago
      That would be why you also unionize the nurses. (And also not subject basic rights like healthcare to market forces, but that’s a bridge a little farther.)
- anoncoward111 8y ago
  I definitely see where you are coming from, and I personally wouldn't recommend "formal" actions like regulation or unionization. I've been considering my options lately and the more I think about it, the more I hear "contracting" as one of the better ways to make liveable money without losing control over your working conditions + dialogue with client(s). When you have constant, daily interaction with middle managers who are trying to become VPs or whatever, it can be extremely grating. Workplace politics, policies, and appearances are all created by these people so that they can protect their jobs and future bonuses. So, perhaps consulting + contracting will create a barrier between you and the middle managers. They're forced to work with you more collaboratively because the CEO signs the checks on this one (hopefully), not the individual department you work for. But yeah, out of the thousands of corporations and startups of all ages, industries, and sizes, I bet only 10% or less have an efficient, enjoyable, and equitable experience between low-ranking employees and their layers of management. That's what is causing all the job-hopping and attempts to "trade-up" ;)
  - badpun 8y ago
    For contractors in large companies, it's exactly those middle managers who sign the check. What's worse, the contracts are usually 6-12 months, and these guys decide if they'll be extended for another period. They also decide what the rate on the contract will be. So in reality, you need to pay at least as much attention to these guys (and internal politics, power struggles and all other bs) as a regular employee.
- tekproxy 8y ago
  Just legislate that everyone has to be nice and give you lots of money. The intent of the law is all that matters if reality is any approximation of the truth.
twblalock 8y ago
I don't think there has ever been a better time to be on the job market as a software developer. There are more software companies than there have ever been, and job openings and salaries for developers are at an all-time high. Even if you're happy where you are, if you started more than 5 years ago, you'd be shocked to hear what kinds of salaries are on offer now if you're willing to switch companies. That's a sign that companies view developers as scarce resources rather than replaceable commodities.
- optimusclimb 8y ago
  ... if you want to live in the Bay.
  - twblalock 8y ago
    Or Seattle, Austin, New York, the Raleigh area, etc. There are plenty of cities with a lot of software jobs.
    - optimusclimb 8y ago
      Not with those income levels that get everyone talking.

fhbdukfrh 8y ago

How do you force employers to treat you better, some sort of artificial regulation? We've never had greater labor mobility, remote options or demand for software developers; I question your premise of limited number of companies.

toomuchtodo 8y ago
Unions. Laws. Collective action. Artificial regulation.
- anoncoward111 8y ago
  I would agree with you, but my gf is a unionized respiratory therapist. Not only are her colleagues and managers extremely mean and unprofessional to her, the hospital executives are actively training the non-union nurses to replace the union respiratory therapists, because "cost".
  - rue 8y ago
    That would be why you also unionize the nurses. (And also not subject basic rights like healthcare to market forces, but that’s a bridge a little farther.)
anoncoward111 8y ago
I definitely see where you are coming from, and I personally wouldn't recommend "formal" actions like regulation or unionization. I've been considering my options lately and the more I think about it, the more I hear "contracting" as one of the better ways to make liveable money without losing control over your working conditions + dialogue with client(s). When you have constant, daily interaction with middle managers who are trying to become VPs or whatever, it can be extremely grating. Workplace politics, policies, and appearances are all created by these people so that they can protect their jobs and future bonuses. So, perhaps consulting + contracting will create a barrier between you and the middle managers. They're forced to work with you more collaboratively because the CEO signs the checks on this one (hopefully), not the individual department you work for. But yeah, out of the thousands of corporations and startups of all ages, industries, and sizes, I bet only 10% or less have an efficient, enjoyable, and equitable experience between low-ranking employees and their layers of management. That's what is causing all the job-hopping and attempts to "trade-up" ;)
- badpun 8y ago
  For contractors in large companies, it's exactly those middle managers who sign the check. What's worse, the contracts are usually 6-12 months, and these guys decide if they'll be extended for another period. They also decide what the rate on the contract will be. So in reality, you need to pay at least as much attention to these guys (and internal politics, power struggles and all other bs) as a regular employee.
tekproxy 8y ago
Just legislate that everyone has to be nice and give you lots of money. The intent of the law is all that matters if reality is any approximation of the truth.

twblalock 8y ago

I don't think there has ever been a better time to be on the job market as a software developer. There are more software companies than there have ever been, and job openings and salaries for developers are at an all-time high. Even if you're happy where you are, if you started more than 5 years ago, you'd be shocked to hear what kinds of salaries are on offer now if you're willing to switch companies. That's a sign that companies view developers as scarce resources rather than replaceable commodities.

optimusclimb 8y ago
... if you want to live in the Bay.
- twblalock 8y ago
  Or Seattle, Austin, New York, the Raleigh area, etc. There are plenty of cities with a lot of software jobs.
  - optimusclimb 8y ago
    Not with those income levels that get everyone talking.