Getting Credit for Programming Accomplishments?

An anonymous reader writes "I am a college student new to corporate culture. For the last few weeks, I have been working on a very large project: revamping our customer service website with tons of new tutorials and information. Recently, I got an e-mail forwarded from my supervisor of improvements that HIS supervisor requested. I am fine with compliments and complaints about my work. However, I realized in the e-mail that my supervisor took credit for the development of this content. I have been under his direct supervision in this whole process; much of the new content was his idea that I ended up implementing. Is it out of line to request that in the future I get mentioned for my work?"

Comments

Pretty normal

[suso]

Its pretty normal in any industry for the supervisor/manager/CEO to take credit for the work of those under them. Just keep chuggin along, eventually you'll get noticed and promoted. You shouldn't do the work for the credit, you should do it for the sake of the company and the greater good. That's when you really get noticed.

There are some companies out there that have the generosity to credit their programmers (heck, this is why Activision was formed) in their software, but not nearly the majority of them and especially if its not an in house application.

Re:Pretty normal

[jlarocco]

You shouldn't do the work for the credit, you should do it for the sake of the company and the greater good.

No. Go to work for the money. This "greater good", "for the company" bullshit is why so many idiot software people complain about working 80 hours a week for a 40 hour a week salary.

Don't fool yourself. The company will cut you loose in the blink of an eye when it's in their financial interests.

Working in a corporation is not about "the greater good", it's about making money.

Re:Pretty normal

[Anonymous Coward]

You shouldn't do the work for the credit, you should do it for the sake of the company and the greater good. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Everything you do in your professional life should be geared toward promoting your career and your career interests. Passively letting others take credit for your work is not just a bad way to advance, it's also unfair. Why should others get the credit and benefits due to you for your hard work? The very idea is crazy. Now, I understand as well as anyone that it can sometimes be politically unwise to stop a superior from taking credit for your accomplishments but to state that you shouldn't seek credit for your work is absolute madness. If you don't get credit for your accomplishments how can you expect to be fairly evaluated or fairly compensated? You can't. Oh, and I don't buy that nonsense about how you'll just magically - somehow, in spite of any level of passivity and meekness on your part - one day get recognized for all the good you do the company. That's a fairy tale that nobody who isn't hopelessly naive will believe. We should all damn well at least try to get credit for our accomplishments. After all, we're due it.

Resource

[Threni]

You're not special - just a development resource. If you hadn't done it, someone else would have. You can always `reply to all` and point out how good you think your work was, but before you do you might want to think about how it would read if someone had sent you that email. Would you think `wow, yeah - well done`, or `er, why are you telling me? I do good work every day without expecting a shiny badge`?

Well...

[Oxy the moron]

Out of line? Maybe... it depends on your corporate culture. I would never make the suggestion at my current employer, but YMMV.

Generally, though, it doesn't make any sense to do so. Even if you're successful in getting your supervisor to mention you, his supervisor is more than likely going to response with "Who?" or "That's nice..." or something equivalent.

In my relatively short career, I've learned to appreciate recognition when it comes by, but to never expect it.

Yikes

[VampireByte]

...just wait until a few weeks before the next big delivery and tell your boss you've found another job offering you what you think you should get paid. Since he's on the hook, he'll probably try to keep you happy.

Nothing like playing poker with your career. I had a coworker who pulled this bluffing stunt only to have the boss reach out to shake his hand and wish him luck at the new job. The guy thought he was an invaluable software developer and had a rude awakening. He finally got a job 8 months later at a help desk.