[rfnslyr]

I've interviewed for a few startups recently. They mentioned "startup hours". When I drilled deeper into their hours, it basically meant you're on call 24/7.

I asked them to compensate me 400% of my wage to work hours which I'm not supposed to and they scoffed at me. I told them to take a hike.

Do not ever put a job on a pedestal simply because OMG JOB! You are worth more than you think, and nobody is worth sacrificing personal health for someone elses business that may or may not become profitable.

They need you more than you need them.

[crucini]

Almost every employer I've had has emphasized the extreme hours before making an offer. It has never turned out to be a problem.

Only once did I object, and I didn't get the offer that time.

I think they say this stuff because it's part of their self-image; they really believe they're working crazy hours when in fact they're working 45-50 hours/week. Also because they want to screen out those who really want banker's hours and have no flexibility.

[rfnslyr]

Who on earth wants banking hours (I'm assuming you're referencing the hours that were outlined in recent articles on HN)? I work in a bank and we're forced to not work anywhere beyond 37.5 or they're liable..

Anyways, I went on trial at one of the few startups that offered to hire me as a contractor. The hours were truly insane. Developers practically lived there, which is why I think startup offices are so much more than the standard corporate office (having video game rooms, lounges, free breakfast/lunch/dinner, other perks I'd rather make $ instead of).

3 of the 5 times where "extreme hours" were outlined, they really have been, extreme hours, hence why I'm so "extremely" turned off from your job so much so I charge a crazy premium to work those hours.

[snowwrestler]

"Banker's hours" or "banking hours" is a longstanding U.S. idiom for very short days. It comes from a time when retail bank lobbies were only open from, say, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Thursday.

I'm exaggerating slightly for effect, but probably not much. Going to the bank used to be a highly inconvenient thing for people who worked jobs that did not let them pop out for an errand whenever they felt like it (manufacturing, retail, service, etc). So the term "banker's hours" also has a connotation of the privileges of the rich--people living lives of leisure and freedom. (including the bankers themselves of course)

[rfnslyr]

Ah yes that is true we can leave pretty much whenever we want for however long, as long as the work gets done. Thank you for reminding me of yet another perk that I didn't fully take in.