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This conversation reminds me of that conversation from a day or two ago, when a writer argued that, if you're trying to hire senior engineers, you need to woo them, rather than expecting them to woo you.

In high-end job markets, hardware is so cheap compared to salary, etc. that there is no reason not get the top stuff. If you don't, that may impinge productivity, and in addition it will send a very negative signal.



Honestly this doesn't just go for high-end jobs. If you're a coffee shop and refuse to shell out for some nice stools for employees to take a rest on then you're just not using math.

All labour in the US costs far more than a decent chair or a nice ergonomic keyboard and mouse, a hands free headset... All of these things are peanuts compared to the costs of employing someone.


I keep telling my employer this, and similar arguments, but no matter what, they still won't buy me one of these:

https://www.mwelab.com/en/


Ah, I’m sure that’s because it would be hard to fit in the office, not because of the price.

It’s actually cheap enough that you could buy it yourself if you wanted to. It certainly went into my bookmarks, just in case I ever actually need a literal battlestation.


Why does that page require javascript to be enabled before you can see anything? ;(


Buy it yourself. "Don't ask for permission, ask for forgiveness."


I know we're not meant to say people didn't read the article. But did you click the link to the chair?

I think it was a joke.


Yeah I clicked the link. I was also joking, saying he should buy it with his own funds, naturally the business wouldn't reimburse him :P


Yup. I really appreciate working a place where my employer understands this. Any tools, equipment, technicians we need to bring in...anything...we just say and we get it. The difference between this and my last job where we used equipment until it broke down...and then had to keep using it...where even a pair of earplugs seemed to be a source of stress...it's like night and day.

I honestly don't think I could work for a company that cheaps out on equipment and supplies anymore. The difference it makes every day to the quality of not only the work I do, but the working conditions for me and the people I work with is worth it.


I seriously think there are power games being played by employers who give their labor terrible working conditions when the marginal improvement would have such a tremendous morale boost. Perhaps out of worldly impotence, such an employer feels satisfied in seeing the toil of someone subservient.


Basically anything is cheaper than salary. It’s why I don’t understand companies that do things like take away the free coffee to ‘save money’.

If I can provide free coffee to the whole office on my own salary alone, maybe that’s not a great way to save money.





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