Life as developer (on-call)
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I hate using phones as a result...
Steve Naidamast Sr. Software Engineer Black Falcon Software, Inc. blackfalconsoftware@outlook.com
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Programming (development) is my hobby, also my work. I like working, but when my free times could at any time belongs to my boss or company, it is time to hang the hat and move on.
Good attitude. Giving a little extra when there's a rush on is one thing, but I've worked place where there was always a rush on. The down side of leaving, though, is that situations like that are where you can get to know some really great people.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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I have turned down a lot of 24/7 - 365 stuff. But I "am" on call because of my consulting work. I have been called in at all hours, and remember a few years ago a 10pm call in, I left at 7am and slept the entire day. I focus on having things setup so I am not needed like that. (Fail to backup, start the restore. Or fail to backup, and WAIT until I wake up, LOL) Nowadays with workers across the globe, hire some bloke in Australia or vice versa. We have a few Russians to help cover the nights if we need it. But we work to LIVE, not the other way around. Or at least we shouldn't.
Getting paid for off hours work is an expected bonus. Working off hours for free and especially where you have to get up at the middle of dinner or 3 am just to solve an issue is a pain. I did it when I was younger, now getting up really takes some effort.
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being on call is one thing.... Actually getting called is another. This all depends on how often my off hours get interrupted.
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
I used to get calls at 2 A.M. when I wasn't even listed as being the member on call. Having to get dressed and go to the office that early in the morning, sucks. And no consequences (not even a comment) for the guy who was supposed to be on, and take the call, didn't make it any better.
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I wouldn't mind being on call if paid overtime. My previous job and the one from Amazon are not. Being on a fixed salary and they expected 60+ hours out of developer and even I spend 3 hours support at 3 am, I expected to show up for work at 8 am. No over time paid.
Leng Vang wrote:
Being on a fixed salary and they expected 60+ hours out of developer and even I spend 3 hours support at 3 am, I expected to show up for work at 8 am. No over time paid.
Those kind of hours and times make you less productive, and the more tired the programmer is the more bugs one can expect. As a worker, you are trading time and knowledge for money. By working "for free" you're accepting an unfair trade. So, don't do that :)
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^][](X-Clacks-Overhead: GNU Terry Pratchett)
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Its really a young man's game to get some cash in the bank. As you get older, your family become more important and your life priorities change. I did it for a number of years, but as I've aged, I now have no interest in the stress or hassle and disruptions that comes with it. I find it eventually wears you down.
Same for me (I'm 51 now). Top !