[kemiller2002]

Right, I mean it's understandable that fields like healthcare, construction, food service all physically demanding, stressful, and have lower pay, because they can all be remote right? We work in one of the most privileged fields ever. We should never forget how lucky we have it.

[gumballindie]

Here in the UK tech workers are clustered around parts of London. You can count on your fingers how many own a property, let alone have a family. You see full grown adults living with housemates and their only financial asset is a macbook pro and an iphone, with occasional holidays in cheap countries.

Remote work allowed some to buy property but are struggling after being ordered to return to work. Those with kids basically leave children in nursers to be raised by the state.

How lucky do you think they are? And how lucky are you knowing you have nothing to your name but a jira case and a manager to remind you of your place?

[kemiller2002]

I don't have to clean up and slog through fecal matter, which I've done. I don't have to pull electrical wire and get shocked, because it was still live, which I've done. I don't have to work in a kitchen that's 100 degrees and hope that I don't slip and spill 300+ degree oil on me, which I've done.

My friend almost got Hepatitis C, because he was trying to save someone's life. My other friend got Covid during the pandemic, because he was trying to save lives in an emergency department.

My career isn't over, because I broke my hand too many times and I can't lift a 14 inch skillet. I have heat, because I make more than $12.00 an hour. I have health insurance (I'm American).

Yeah, I count myself really lucky.

[gumballindie]

I am sorry, but that's not how this works. Both software developers _and_ the jobs your described should benefit from better conditions. It would appear that you think that since other have it worse so should tech workers.

[ativzzz]

Most people on HN who speaks about how good tech is usually live in the US or Eastern Europe, where tech salaries are relatively high for relatively little upfront requirements.

On an unrelated note, I've had a former coworker who lived in the UK and was contracting to mostly US companies for this exact reason.

[gumballindie]

Yeah the UK is bust in terms of tech pay and conditions. But most tech workers have been in favour of hybrid or onsite. No wonder since the UK is rather under skilled, not just in tech. And usually it's those who can't work without endless talk due to lack of experience that want to be ordered back into offices. A shame, the UK used to be the lead in tech in Europe. No longer it seems - neither pay nor skill.