[ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?

Thu Aug 30 09:34:06 EDT 2012

Yep - a nasty attitude some managers take.   Personally I think it should be illegal.  Either you're salaried or you're not.   They shouldn't be able to say "you don't get overtime because you're salaried" but then treat you as if you're hourly when you've worked less than 40 hours.   Another thing that happened to me years ago in management was companies that insisted all managers work a minimum of 6 days (48 hours) a week.  I think such requirements are also an abuse of the labor laws.   The idea behind making folks salaried is the recognition that it does sometimes take more than an "average" work week to get the job done but once it becomes the norm it is an indication more staff is needed and allowing companies to make it the norm by policy is just wrong.   

Interestingly though I was in IT when the labor department changed classification of IT workers from hourly to professional (excluding those whose work mainly deals with hardware such as CEs).   The company I worked for then immediately made the rule about 6 days (48 hours).  I was the Senior Tech.  Neither I nor the assistant lead developer showed up that following Saturday and that was the end of that policy because they weren't willing to fire both of us.   Sometimes you have to put your foot down.   

-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of simontek at gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 9:22 AM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
Subject: Re: [ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?

In LA, I worked a salaried job, it didn't bother me when I worked 60 hours, and I didn't get over time, but the following week, when I worked 35, and only got paid for 35, I was very annoyed. When I asked about it, I was told we don't get paid overtime. So I was treated like an hourly employee til I hit 40. I learned a valuable lesson out of that. 
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: "Lightner, Jeff" <JLightner at water.com>
Sender: ale-bounces at ale.org
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:13:54
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts<ale at ale.org>
Reply-To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
Subject: Re: [ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?

Once again totally unrealistic advice for most people looking for a job.

The real fact is that in most IT jobs you are salaried because you are classified as a "professional" and just like salaried managers "professionals" are required to work "until the job is done".   This means usually you're NOT going to work only 40 hours a week because there is always more work to do.   While SOME organizations do have structured compensation for additional hours or on call (or at least "comp time") the reality is that MOST do not have official policies because being salaried means you're "exempt" from overtime by law.   Usually comp time is an understanding between you and your manager.  If you're salaried and had to work 60 hours because something was down or something critical was due then most managers recognize it and will allow for time off in the following week.    "Insisting" on things during the interview process is a good way to have interviewers simply think "Next!"

-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Bob Toxen
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 6:54 PM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
Subject: Re: [ale] OT: How many Linux guys are looking for work in ATL?

For full-time (meaning not paid by the hour) be very VERY careful about how many hours a week are required!!!

The American standard is 40 hrs/week.  It seems most Atlanta full-time computer job holders are expected to do at least 45 hours/week with no additional compensation.

Since the economy went south in '08, many employees are forced to work
50 or even 60 hours a week for no increase in pay.  Thus ask and insist on some commitment in writing.

If they won't give a written statement of job requirements, including average hours per week and how they handle exceeding that, they are dishonest and one should keep looking!

Bob

On Fri, Jul 27, 2012 at 05:41:06AM -0400, Leam Hall wrote:
> On 07/27/2012 05:26 AM, Leam Hall wrote:
>
> > So deepen your strengths, broaden your base, and the jobs will be there.
> >
> > Leam
>
> Caveat. Yes, there are jobs I'm not qualified for by skills or aptitude.
> Learning what you're created to do is a part of that and one of the 
> reasons I put the Parachute and 7 Habits books on my 10 Vital Tips list.
>
> My new job pays a significant amount less than one I didn't pursue but 
> is much more in line with my career goals and personal drives. There's 
> no need to retire if you're doing what keeps you young.
>
> Hope that helps! ATL is a great job market.
>
> Leam
>
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