I had a situation very similar to this; I quit and started freelancing. One of the smartest (well...most worthwhile, probably not the smartest) things I've ever done. I had it easy as a single college student---if you're supporting a family it's a bit different---but if you're in the same position, do it. Move if you have to. There are worse things than hating your dead-end job. But not a lot of them.
Ask HN: "Is that work?"
31–40 of 108 posts
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#32I would think, that in a company where your boss or managers understands what "the work is" that you do, you wouldn't have those problems.
Such a boss would treat you better, by not openly questioning your worthiness, better pay or even payed sick days.
You should move. Into an environment of bosses competing for the best talent.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#3320 days holiday? In the UK? That sounds like USA holiday time to me, mate. And if you're starting a new job in the US, that would be positively generous , I'm sorry to say.
Ha, I wish we started with 20 days in the US. Starting out in the US you get 10 days of vacation at most companies (though also 10 federal holidays, so 20 total). At my company after 5 years you get 15 days, after 10 years you get 20 days. After 20 years you get 25 days. Yuck.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#34To add to the sound GTFO advice posted already: When you do get a new job (and you should), make sure you're on the revenue side of the business rather than contributing to the company's costs.
Apart from the outsourcing you've done, your work is viewed by your employer as an expense rather than adding to the bottom line. When it comes time to cut the budget, you'll likely be lumped in with the 'fat' which can be removed without much pain.
Conversely, if you find a job where you are part of the engine bringing in revenue (whether as a consultant or a product developer), you will generally be treated much better and have more opportunities for advancement.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#35You write > "I love my job...I even love my boss" then go on to describe a nightmare. Read it! It sounds like Stockholm Syndrome! Well done for getting it off your chest, now you need to go find something else. The situation probably can't be fixed. Sounds like you've made a lot of decent things as evidence of your skills. You could probably come back as a contractor/consultant for twice your current wage. Oh, and if…
You only get statutory sick pay when a doctors note is involved, which can only be gotten if you've taken more than two days off, aren't too sick to actually visit the GP and even then statutory sick pay is paid at minimum wage, I'm on £17k a year. And thanks for the link!
I've no idea where in the UK you are but where I am (Edinburgh) the average wage for a salaried PHP Dev is £20k-£25k and this is a VERY cheap area. So i'd say you're drastically underpaid, especially if you're futher south.
I chose not to work in Edinburgh because of the terrible pay, I'm a PHP contractor and i work in London for £300-£350 a day for 3 months and then come back to Edinburgh after the contract is over. I go back when i start to run out of money again. You should look into doing this if its an option for you. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more about it.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#36> Some statistics recently suggested that a snowball had a better chance of opening an ice cream shop in the deepest layer of hell than I have of getting another job. You could not be more wrong. I organise the London Hacker News meetup and speak weekly to people who are DESPERATE to get a good developer. Unemployment may well be high, but there is huge demand for good developers. Unless you have very strong ties to…
Dmitri speaks the truth. I'm in the process of joining a company after meeting one of the founders at his meetup last month (White Bear Yard).
At £17k, you could be doing better driving a bus in London.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#37You should try working for a tech company where your skills are "directly" connected to the products. It sounds like you work as a support group for the company. In my experience is usually underpaid, over-worked and the resources are not that high compared to the ones that are in the "frontline". And you rarely get notices for the great things you have done.
Came here to post this. You are most likely underpaid given the breadth of cool stuff you're building. Android and the scripted automation you mentioned are particularly good.
My advice is to contact a recruiter immediately and get used to the idea of moving around a bit. Look into telecommuting gigs as well. As long as you feel that you're lucky to have this job where you're undervalued you won't be happy with your life.
Find out what you're really worth. Find out what you're capable of.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#38You have limited options. I suggest using the internet for reference material only (no HN or Slashdot allowed). Your boss is not going to change. What is your job worth to you now? Do you need more compensation? If so, I suggest working on leverage first:
1) Apply for other jobs, even if you must move. Only with a job offer do you have leverage to get more pay.
2) Would ODesk or eLance provide enough income to live where you are?
3) When burned out, get out of your desk and walk around find out who knows who.
4) The only way you can get another job is through your contacts. #1 is a terrible way to get a job. Expand your list of contacts.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#3920 days holiday? In the UK? That sounds like USA holiday time to me, mate. And if you're starting a new job in the US, that would be positively generous , I'm sorry to say.
20 (working) days is four weeks - most places in the US only start someone at 10 days. I got lucky and landed at a place that starts with 15.
Re: Ask HN: "Is that work?"
#40To the right of where I sit, is my boss, the son of one of the Managing Directors of this company. 100% of the gigs I've ever had working for a child of the founder were absolute hell. Looks like you're there, too. Run, don't walk, in the other direction! Now I'm not saying that all children of founders are like this, just that it's my overwhelming experience. I don't know why this is, but I have many guesses. Perhap…
I would like to point out that in this case, (not that I'm trying to sound overly supportive of the guy, but it's not that I hate him either), his dad fired him THREE times whilst working for him. His dad only hired him back after he had gone out and made something of himself (selling his own business for lots of money).