[ufmace]

I've never experienced or even heard of anybody experiencing anything I'd consider abuse in the industry - with "industry" meaning developing software for ordinary businesses.

IMO, this is all due to the conditions of the labor market. Any position that a lot of people want to do and doesn't require a lot of skill or experience will be a bad time. If you get into such a position, expect to be paid little, worked long hours, replaced on somebody's whim, and various types of abuse will be common. On the other hand, positions that aren't that sexy and require skill and experience tend to pay well and treat people well.

Once you understand that, a lot of things become clear. You can predict the sub-areas of the industry that are likely to be worse work environments - game development, startups, etc. Boring line of business development is a much more pleasant environment.

[hutzlibu]

"Boring line of business development is a much more pleasant environment."

Yeah ... but only if you don't mind doing boring work in a boring team.

I mean, now that I have a family I can see the plus sides of that, too. But idealy my pleasant work environment is interesting and still not toxic.