[jnbiche]

> Not doubting your situation, but pretty much every job I've had has told me, "40 hours, unless it's vital!", followed by much apparently "vital" work.

Thank you, I was beginning to think there was a gigantic industry conspiracy against me and my friends, while the rest of you are off sipping martinis at 5 p.m.

That said, I can readily believe the 40/hour week situation is different in Europe. However, on average, European developers do get paid significantly less than N. American developers, so it's not like everything is totally equal here.

[bnastic]

Software developers across banks in London are well paid. Consultants even more so. 40 hours or is normal, it's not an exception. (Source: been doing it for many years, at many banks)