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> When things eventually stabilized, the leadership was happy with the result but displeased with my obedience. During my annual review, I was told I wasn't wor

> When things eventually stabilized, the leadership was happy with the result but displeased with my obedience. During my annual review, I was told I wasn't working hard enough. [...] Over this month, I really was not productive for the first time in my entire career. [...] When emotions had settled, the owner told me I saved the company and thanked me for it. This is why I laugh when HN commenters tell me that the companies make reasonable choices when it comes to their employees.

nicbou 3y ago
This part was a punch in the gut. Stories like this one are a reminder not to pour your life into your work. The sacrifices don't always pay off.
- flutas 3y ago
  > The sacrifices don't always pay off. The cynic in me wants to really say, typically the sacrifices never pay off. My example time: Company I was working for planned a promo on July 4th. This promo was in collaboration with a GIANT sports brand. Think of the most known sports brand (not sportswear) in the world. No real testing in our QA env due to (some reason I can't remember). Day of promo (July 4th) I get a frantic call "IT'S NOT WORKING." I spend my July 4th, stopped in my tracks right before I'm about to head out the door to the lake with some friends fixing a bug in this promo. My reward for doing frantic work to save probably 3 peoples assess above me even when I wasn't on call? "thanks" Not even the basic 2.5x daily rate that is mentioned in our company handbook. All this to say: The sacrifices hardly ever pay off in my mind.
- brightball 3y ago
  It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I didn't appreciate what depression felt like prior to this. For a month or so, it honestly felt like I was on some type of drug that made me constantly tired, distracted and stressed all at the same time. You keep telling yourself to get moving and just...can't. It sucked. Hindsight is big on this project though. I got so much experience from this work that it truly did level up my career. I learned more as a side effect of getting deep into these issues than I ever expected too.
  - nicbou 3y ago
    It transpired through your writing. I must say that it was a really good writeup.
- rlawson 3y ago
  Exactly, we all get pulled in too far on occasion but unless you own the company you are always just replaceable hired help

nicbou 3y ago

This part was a punch in the gut. Stories like this one are a reminder not to pour your life into your work. The sacrifices don't always pay off.

flutas 3y ago
> The sacrifices don't always pay off. The cynic in me wants to really say, typically the sacrifices never pay off. My example time: Company I was working for planned a promo on July 4th. This promo was in collaboration with a GIANT sports brand. Think of the most known sports brand (not sportswear) in the world. No real testing in our QA env due to (some reason I can't remember). Day of promo (July 4th) I get a frantic call "IT'S NOT WORKING." I spend my July 4th, stopped in my tracks right before I'm about to head out the door to the lake with some friends fixing a bug in this promo. My reward for doing frantic work to save probably 3 peoples assess above me even when I wasn't on call? "thanks" Not even the basic 2.5x daily rate that is mentioned in our company handbook. All this to say: The sacrifices hardly ever pay off in my mind.
brightball 3y ago
It was one of the worst experiences of my life. I didn't appreciate what depression felt like prior to this. For a month or so, it honestly felt like I was on some type of drug that made me constantly tired, distracted and stressed all at the same time. You keep telling yourself to get moving and just...can't. It sucked. Hindsight is big on this project though. I got so much experience from this work that it truly did level up my career. I learned more as a side effect of getting deep into these issues than I ever expected too.
- nicbou 3y ago
  It transpired through your writing. I must say that it was a really good writeup.
rlawson 3y ago
Exactly, we all get pulled in too far on occasion but unless you own the company you are always just replaceable hired help