How Employers Are Exploiting Programmer Passion

Oct 3

Companies are using our passion against us in order to make ever larger profits and money out of our efforts. That means employers are looking for candidates who will go the extra mile and try a little harder to do well. This might mean they are willing to work evenings and weekends or try to take on stressful work that stretches them.

“This might mean that the hiring process is designed to find those who are a little naive or it might mean that the process ‘accidentally’ identifies those candidates.

Either way, it is the company which benefits rather than the candidates.”

This article is about what is happening in the industry and what software developers can do about it.

The Tools At Work Against Software Developers

The job description

Some employers make passion a requirement in their job specification. When you see that it’s a clear red flag indicating long hours and a toxic environment. Worse, if this is written as a requirement for a job you take it’s incredibly difficult to justify not working crazy hours and putting up with insane demands later on, as effectively you agreed to it from the outset.

“Everyone wants you to work for free.

When companies add passion into their job description, they are clearly indicating they want you to work hardcore.

As a developer, you should be able to use your free time to learn tangential and incidental skills. You shouldn’t be using that time to earn more profit for your company.”

The lack of success criteria

The hard workers in your team will want to complete tasks. They will work hard in order to get things done and want to perform well in your organization.

So, you’re pushing those tickets in JIRA from left to right, getting the work done.

Then you realize that the ACs are not complete. You mention this to the scrum master who tells you that you need to chase down the information that you are missing.

“Are we programmers or are we slaves to the agile process.“

The toxic team

Some teams are all about the pressure. You are expected to deliver and deliver at speed. This may necessitate working at weekends which is fine because that is what we do here.

Each member of the team works to set the precedent of unhealthy working. Each delivery further embeds the ‘that’s just how we work’ culture.

“Requirements change here buddy, we just roll with the punches. If you need to work a few extra hours to fix those bugs that is something you need to take on.

What do you mean, it’s your child’s birthday? I mean, who cares?”

“Programmers should be able to have lives away from the keyboard.

Which in my case is a life of blog posting.”

Working hard against your own interests

When you work that little bit harder to complete tickets on time that becomes the new normal. The sprint estimations are adjusted to allow for your current pace of work. Soon enough working evenings and weekends becomes expected because that is how Agile works.

“When you work harder to get something ‘over the line’ you make sure you need to work that hard next time.

This is sure to cause future issues for you.

Remember you also don’t get paid for these productivity bursts.”

What software developers can do

Set Boundaries

Clearly define your work hours and stick to them. Make it known that your personal time is not negotiable.

Negotiate Terms

Before accepting a job offer, discuss work-life balance and expectations. Don’t be afraid to ask about the company culture and workload.

Be Transparent

If you find that the workload is becoming unmanageable or affecting your well-being, communicate this to your manager or HR department.

Know Your Worth

Always be aware of your market value as a developer. This will give you leverage during negotiations and make it easier to walk away if necessary.

Seek Legal Advice

Familiarize yourself with labor laws in your jurisdiction. Know your rights when it comes to overtime, benefits, and fair treatment.

Look for Red Flags

Be cautious of job descriptions that emphasize passion over skills and qualifications. This could be a sign of a toxic work environment.

Self-Care

Prioritize your mental and physical health. Take breaks, exercise, and engage in activities that make you happy and relaxed.

Continuous Learning

Use your free time to upskill, but do it for yourself, not just to become a more profitable asset for your company.

Have an Exit Strategy

Always have a backup plan. Whether it’s a side project, freelance work, or another job offer, know your options.

Conclusion

Some jobs are good and some are bad.

“It’s clear to me that some companies are turning our passion against us. It’s time to fight back. Take the advice in this article and think about what you’re doing.

This will benefit all of us.”

The Secret Developer