Cutting vacation days was mentioned. I'm wondering if switching from fixed vacation days to unlimited is also a sign of penny-pinching.
Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
161–170 of 197 posts
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#162They ask you for a list of all the passwords you control.
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I like to take a moment to realise how fortunate we are to work in a sector where something like freebies is almost considered to be a sacred right. Bear in mind that, most programmers do not get paid overtime, and are expected to work like horses. The reason freebies are sacred rights are because those are, in part, the unofficial payment for working in such conditions.
Yup. I would take getting paid overtime over freebies hands down. 1.5x for every hour worked over 40? Sign me up.
1.5 is a little low 1.75 after 8 Pm 2x at weekend and 2x plus a day TOIL for sunday
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#164I generally work for smaller companies, Health note: Employee churn when churn is not the norm. Health warning: Certain people leaving with enough business knowledge it's noticeable they're gone Health crisis: Multiple health warnings in quick succession (within 2 years). At warning level I make sure my CV is updated and start setting up job alerts. At crisis I'm actively applying for jobs to keep my options wide ope…
I'd actually counsel updating the resume every 6 months and applying to at least one job posting with it, just to get a sense of the local job scene. And even if your current company is fine, you might get the chance to switch to one that is better. At the very least, you get some interview practice, which never hurts. One does get slightly paranoid after getting laid off with only 3 days notice and no severance, one…
Don't you worry about X, let me worry about blank.
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#165turn over.
A "normal turn over" in IT is 10%
In normal companies it is less.
If more, flee.
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#166For public companies, it can be an easier task:
- If executive insiders are buying stock: a good sign!
- If executive insiders are selling stock: could be a good or bad sign (e.g., they might sell because they are purchasing a house.)
- If executive insiders are selling everything: very bad sign
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not to discount what you're saying, but there are several sets of “men in suits” that appear long before you lose your office space. Some are your investors (or work for them). Some are consultants or advisors, promising to solve all your problems. The service provider you're re-negotiating payment terms with. Potential acquirers, etc.
Must they be men?
Yes. they must. be men. If there were a bunch of women in suits cruzin around I would be kinda stoked. haha. I almost didn't reply to this because I understand that you're trying to make a point but because your post has no value I decided to reply with a post of equal value.
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#168Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not to discount what you're saying, but there are several sets of “men in suits” that appear long before you lose your office space. Some are your investors (or work for them). Some are consultants or advisors, promising to solve all your problems. The service provider you're re-negotiating payment terms with. Potential acquirers, etc.
Must they be men?
Of course not. They also don't need to be in suits. The wording is just meant to evoke particular imagery. And the comment that you replied to just used that quoted section from the parent and grandparent, anyhow. If you have a problem with the wording, then you have a problem more directly with the grandparent than with this comment, IMO.
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#169I've given another answer, but on the meta level, it shouldn't matter to you if a company is doing well. The only thing that should matter is are you learning skills for which there is a market? Getting in the mindset that your "job" does not determine your well being but your skills do. That mindset presupposes a few things: A) that you always have your finger on the market and the skills that are in demand B) your…
Having a job helps tremendously in negotiating a salary. BATNA is continuing to work at your current pay, rather than living off savings.
It can however be unhealthy and ultimately lead to a worse outcome to continue in the same job with very high levels of stress. You will not interview as well, and you will have to decide to make health sacrifices to brush up on skills necessary to make the next jump.
Re: Ask HN: As an employee of a company, how do you assess its health?
#170No news is bad news. If you stop hearing about new developments, the reality is almost certainly bad.
Looking back to a few layoffs, that was a common sign. I think I can spot it next time.