5 ms·

Tech workers are preparing to quit. Persuading them to stay won't be easy

25 points by sizzle 5y ago

dv_dt 5y ago
This seems like it’s got components of the release of pent-up job turnover that has likely been somewhat suppressed over the past year, plus the seriousness of the pandemic causing maybe more life introspection leading to more willingness to make changes in something that would normally be more sticky; and then finally add the article mentions of Brexit effects on businesses into the mix too
- pitched 5y ago
  I think it has a lot more to do with burnout than anything else, and the article does kind of touch on that a bit. Working through the pandemic was tough but, it was important, so we push through to be helpful. Now that it’s done though, I think some healthy down-time is in order and the two weeks or whatever you get normally isn’t going to cut it.
nine_zeros 5y ago
For me, I have realized that life is too short to do busywork for incompetent managers. I'd much rather do something somewhere else.
- peakaboo 5y ago
  We all realise this at some point. Some at 30, some at 35, some at 40....
  - fzzzy 5y ago
    some at 45...
remir 5y ago
IT and technology workers have faced vastly increased workloads over the past 16 months, with burnout becoming a major issue amongst those tasked with propping up IT infrastructure and delivering new digital services. IT support: dealing with constant problems and people's frustration and anger and then almost no recognition in return despite all your hard work and 24/7 availability. No wonder people are quitting.
bin_bash 5y ago
Title should contain "UK"—where salaries for software engineers are far below what they should be IMO.
- 908B64B197 5y ago
  Why should they be higher?
  - zingplex 5y ago
    Because 71% of the workforce is preparing to quit.
    - 908B64B197 5y ago
      To do what?
      - acchow 5y ago
        FTA: CWJob's research found that 14% of tech workers would look for a new role at a different company, with others planning to establish their own business (11%), go part-time (11%), change locations (11%) or become a contractor (10%). Eight percent are contemplating leaving tech altogether.
    - dominotw 5y ago
      preparing seems to be the keyword here. This has no correlation to what will actually happen.
  - stu432 5y ago
    The UK, like the US has pronounced wage differences between regions, but unlike the US we're all in the same timezone. As a result you now get significantly better London wages being offered to northern workers, combined with the cluster that is IR35, brexit and increased demand for these skills from CoVid. Perfect storm of demand surges, supply contracts, wages go up.
okareaman 5y ago
There is a bright side: Tech companies might have to get over their ageism and hire older workers
- peakaboo 5y ago
  I think older people want to work in tech even less. Of course there are exceptions but I think older people have a lot less bullshit tolerance.
  - okareaman 5y ago
    > older people have a lot less bullshit tolerance That's why they don't want to hire us. We're less exploitable. They claim it's because "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", but if that were true no one would go to a doctor over 40. But there's some older workers who may need the money.
    - France_is_bacon 5y ago
      I've worked with almost all Gen Z and Millennials. I'm pretty old now. I find that there is zero difference between workers of any age group, from when I was young until now. There have always been gold brickers, way before my time. There have always been slackers. There have always been people who let companies take advantage of them, and there are always been those who don't. It's not about others, it's about oneself. If someone gives you an actual sh-t sandwich, you're the only one that decides to take a bite or not. Nobody is making you eat it, except yourself. If you don't like what's being served, quit. There have always and forever been shitty employers and great employers. If you choose to stay with a shit employer, you must love that sandwich.
  - postalrat 5y ago
    Or more bullshit awareness.
joelbondurant 5y ago
Tax cattle owe their lives to provide free crack for inner city child molesters and roads. - Communists
blippage 5y ago
Have they tried using money? That can be quite persuasive.

25 points by sizzle 5y ago

This seems like it’s got components of the release of pent-up job turnover that has likely been somewhat suppressed over the past year, plus the seriousness of the pandemic causing maybe more life introspection leading to more willingness to make changes in something that would normally be more sticky; and then finally add the article mentions of Brexit effects on businesses into the mix too

pitched 5y ago
I think it has a lot more to do with burnout than anything else, and the article does kind of touch on that a bit. Working through the pandemic was tough but, it was important, so we push through to be helpful. Now that it’s done though, I think some healthy down-time is in order and the two weeks or whatever you get normally isn’t going to cut it.

nine_zeros 5y ago

For me, I have realized that life is too short to do busywork for incompetent managers. I'd much rather do something somewhere else.

peakaboo 5y ago
We all realise this at some point. Some at 30, some at 35, some at 40....
- fzzzy 5y ago
  some at 45...

remir 5y ago

IT and technology workers have faced vastly increased workloads over the past 16 months, with burnout becoming a major issue amongst those tasked with propping up IT infrastructure and delivering new digital services. IT support: dealing with constant problems and people's frustration and anger and then almost no recognition in return despite all your hard work and 24/7 availability. No wonder people are quitting.

bin_bash 5y ago

Title should contain "UK"—where salaries for software engineers are far below what they should be IMO.

908B64B197 5y ago
Why should they be higher?
- zingplex 5y ago
  Because 71% of the workforce is preparing to quit.
  - 908B64B197 5y ago
    To do what?
    - acchow 5y ago
      FTA: CWJob's research found that 14% of tech workers would look for a new role at a different company, with others planning to establish their own business (11%), go part-time (11%), change locations (11%) or become a contractor (10%). Eight percent are contemplating leaving tech altogether.
  - dominotw 5y ago
    preparing seems to be the keyword here. This has no correlation to what will actually happen.
- stu432 5y ago
  The UK, like the US has pronounced wage differences between regions, but unlike the US we're all in the same timezone. As a result you now get significantly better London wages being offered to northern workers, combined with the cluster that is IR35, brexit and increased demand for these skills from CoVid. Perfect storm of demand surges, supply contracts, wages go up.

okareaman 5y ago

There is a bright side: Tech companies might have to get over their ageism and hire older workers

peakaboo 5y ago
I think older people want to work in tech even less. Of course there are exceptions but I think older people have a lot less bullshit tolerance.
- okareaman 5y ago
  > older people have a lot less bullshit tolerance That's why they don't want to hire us. We're less exploitable. They claim it's because "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", but if that were true no one would go to a doctor over 40. But there's some older workers who may need the money.
  - France_is_bacon 5y ago
    I've worked with almost all Gen Z and Millennials. I'm pretty old now. I find that there is zero difference between workers of any age group, from when I was young until now. There have always been gold brickers, way before my time. There have always been slackers. There have always been people who let companies take advantage of them, and there are always been those who don't. It's not about others, it's about oneself. If someone gives you an actual sh-t sandwich, you're the only one that decides to take a bite or not. Nobody is making you eat it, except yourself. If you don't like what's being served, quit. There have always and forever been shitty employers and great employers. If you choose to stay with a shit employer, you must love that sandwich.
- postalrat 5y ago
  Or more bullshit awareness.

joelbondurant 5y ago

Tax cattle owe their lives to provide free crack for inner city child molesters and roads. - Communists

blippage 5y ago

Have they tried using money? That can be quite persuasive.