Entirely agree. My post makes two points: 1) It should be very rare that work above the normal 7-8 hours is required. If it is common, you are in a dysfunction

Entirely agree. My post makes two points: 1) It should be very rare that work above the normal 7-8 hours is required. If it is common, you are in a dysfunctional software development organization. My advice to OP in this case is to leave. 2) If you and your peers normally work 7-8 hours, it is not unreasonable to expect (for compensation of course), an extra effort in terms of overtime / weekend work in times of extraordinary crisis / emergency.