On: Advice to programmers: Get a government job

[old-gregg]

What you just said applies to almost any business with more than 1K employees. I'd say any programmer considering a career at General Electric (random pick) is insane. It's a government job without government benefits.

[Prrometheus → old-gregg]

I have friends in software development at military contractors in the area. Apparently, after you work for three years you get "tenure" and you receive France-style job security. Since its more trouble after that to fire you than to just pay you, the worst that can happen for incompetence is that you get left alone with nothing to do. Also, if you leave, you are always guaranteed a spot if you choose to return.

Nothing is good for job security like being removed from the discipline of the market. Hook up to the public teat and you can feed for life.

[nazgulnarsil → Prrometheus]

I hear stories like this over and over again. It's disgusting what 3 months of my labor per year goes to.

[nihilocrat → Prrometheus]

You can continue your kneejerk conservatism when you get fired for not flushing twice.

No, really, I'm not joking.

Though it is sad to see what happens when people take advantage of job security and get paid to do hardly anything.

[netcan → old-gregg]

Which is to say, of those earning in the top 25%-30% (varies a lot by country) this applies to the majority of people.