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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 softwa

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.

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.