Having even a modicum of job and financial security removes so much stress from your life.
Unfortunately it doesn't work that way for all developers. At my last job there were continual reminders and reprimands for being even five minutes late.
Left there after 9 months and have never worked anywhere like that since.
Sadly, without the muscle of collective bargaining to back you up, your only real options are to politely beg your management to stop being timeclock nazis, or to leave for greener pastures.
Water is free, most likely. I've never had free food programming, beyond nutra-grain bars, once.
> Customers are allowed to scream at you and you have to figure out how to make them happy.
Toxic clients exist in the programming world, too. And as a low-level peon, you have a lot more leeway in telling an abusive customer to get out than you do a multimillion dollar client.
> shifts well past midnight on Friday and Christmas Eve...
Still happens for developers.
As strange as it may sound, I think I personally was happier waiting tables. But it wasn't going to pay the bills. In general, I totally agree that most people, all things considered, are better off programming. But let's not overstate our case. :) There are definitely some programming jobs which are light-years better than any retail job because e.g., you don't have to deal with customers, but that's not all programming jobs.
Programming is much easier than so many professions I've had in the past it's absolutely unbelievable.
Sometimes, the social aspects of your job outweigh other factors. Throw in the simplicity of jobs like waiting tables, and I've found that it can be a lot of enjoyment.
As for the no guarantee of 40 hour work week... well, again ignoring the financial aspect of it, only working 20 or 30 hours a week was much more enjoyable than 40-55 hours (or even higher at some places) work weeks.
Haha, try working as a developer supporting a retail-based operation! Our company pulls all-nighters on black friday and christmas eve.
As a retail worker, the pay is at or just above minimum wage and benefits like PTO and health insurance do not exist because the jobs are usually part time. Additionally, retail work always comes with irate customers who will piss you off, your coworkers off and your bosses off. So everyone is angry. Retail workers often do not have a set schedule, this is especially true during the holiday season. They have to find coverage before taking an unpaid day of leave. Lastly, because no real skill is needed to work in retail, workers are easily replaceable. 1 mistake can get you canned.
How is a situation like that more stressful than being on call of which you get paid to be on?
15 Years ago it was £400 for 1 in 4 plus Toil (time off) for time worked
