IT Workers To Get Fewer Perks, No Free Coffee

dasButcher writes "While the economy is showing signs of recovery and tech stocks posted double- and triple-digit gains in 2009, IT workers are facing a less hospitable workplace in the coming year. Many employers say they're going to continue trimming budgets, particularly in human resources. Rather than giving up head count, they're planning to trim 401k contributions, eliminate bonuses, curtail travel and, dare we say, shut off the free coffee (it wasn't that good anyway)."

Comments

Re:the school district model

[BitZtream]

running out "on break" to buy coffee

I have a far simpler solution to this problem.

When they get back, you tell them they are fired. It doesn't take that happening too many times before you stop having 'break' problems.

Reality check: You aren't special, neither are your skills. You are essentially a computer janitor (regardless of your actual position). You can be replaced, and in a few short years your skills will in no way be special as any grade school kid will be able to do your job, probably better since they've grown up with technology. If you don't realize this, you're already past the point of no return.

Your job isn't there to provide you benefits. You do not have any special rights because you work on computers. Why is it that computer geeks seem to have this retarded notion that you somehow deserve to get treated differently than the rest of the world? You need to pull your head out of your ass and realize that 'the basic office environment' as you think of it, isn't the basic office environment for pretty much any other job in the world outside of geekdom.

As soon as the need for computer literate people is balanced by the number of them, all perks will end and you'll be treated just like the guy in a steel mill, the guy building skyscrapers, and the guy who takes out your trash.

You are not entitled to anything, get over yourself. The fact that you got modded insightful just shows how many people who read slashdot now are so incredible out of touch. When I got into the field, I was excited about all the cool perks geeks get because of their rarity. Its been that way just long enough that all the little wanna-be geeks such as yourself think that you are entitled to such treatment, rather than realizing those were just initial perks to make up for the lack of available talent. There is no longer a lack of available talent, you have nothing to offer over the guy who is willing to go to work without coffee and willing to work for a wage you are actually worth rather than demanding a wage that you are in no way deserve.

You are spoiled and unfortunately in for a very rude awakening and reality check over the next few years. Have fun, I'll enjoy watching you leave because you didn't get your coffee, mean while, I'll pull my drinks out of the bag I brought with me to work as I'm watching you walk out the door whining like a little bitch.