There are full-stack software engineer positions and then there are "We want a programmer, a designer, and a project manager for the cost of one salary" "full"-"stack" positions.
Job descriptions like the latter are why unions push for very narrow job duties: Because employers are incentivized to push all the responsibilities that they can onto employees.
@jaycie Ah, but we programmers don't need unions. Every one of us is a real-life Howard Roark or Hank Rearden. :barf:
@jaycie this is exactly the same in marketing: "we want a copywriter with graphic design, UX specialist and web design skills, 5 years experience, will pay 16/hr."
@jaycie Well.. and what if I don't see myself doing a "narrow job duties"? Full-stack positions are fun, we never know what we'll do next week.
Oh, and for the issue of the salary, it's very easy to solve: sell yourself to another employer, and make each party bid afterwards. If you're really full-stack, you'll be surprised how your capabilities are truly estimated.
@jaycie I mean, I'm only gonna work 40 hours a week either way (Germany), so giving me 5 responsibilities means each only gets about 20% done. Do the employers get this?
@uvok You bring up a very good point. It's ironic how much increased employee rights can save a business from its own myopia (and that of middle managers with too-narrow KPIs).
@jaycie it's also why having a strong industry-wide union is important. It helps standardize positions and create more worker-friendly norms.