That's interesting because I don't put in hard work until my employer proves they deserve it. Someone has to make the first move. Do you see the dilemma here?
That's exactly the point. If you're willing to pay a dev 100k without the perks, what makes you think that a company that really wants great talent won't pay the 100k plus the perks. You make it seem like employees have to earn respect, but that's just a recipe for disgruntled employees. Employees want respect, and they should have it from the start. That being said, respect is something that can (and should) be lost when mediocrity creeps in.
That's exactly what I'm saying. Money only gets you so far, and first impressions are hard to break. To really make me give my all, I need to work some place where I'm valued and not some cog in a machine. If my first impression is that you view me as a machine that you put money in one end and code comes out the other, then you'll have to work twice as hard to get rid of that impression once I've proven myself to you (assuming I stick around long enough to prove myself to you).
I didn't say anything that alluded to me (or any other employee) wanting to run the show. Are you really attempting to get the most out of the employee-employer relationship or are you trying to put down threats to your authority?
No, this isn't about authority at all, at least for me. I just got the impression that you were sort of drawing a line in the sand, and I was trying to ascertain why. I'd still love more insight.
I'm simply saying that if you agree to the job and the salary, then you chose it for a reason, and at that point I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a developer to work hard. Notice, I'm not saying 80 hour weeks, but come on...I have to make an offer, which you accept, and then go out of my way to suck up and wine/dine you further in order to get good work in return?
No no that's not what I'm saying at all. I did not meant to say that you should put up with a slacker, but that you should give enough flexibility and empowerment to the employee so that he feels at least a sense of loyalty to your company and a sense of importance within whatever project he's working on.
I'll work the hardest when I'm not treated as a mere employee like all the others in crappy jobs around the world. For most of us you don't need to wine and dine us, as the perks are part of the offer. For example, if you where hiring me I would ask for three things:
1) A decent/competitive salary (i might take a 100k offer over a 120k offer just because I feel that your company is a better fit though)
2) Good equipment and comfortable workplace. There's nothing worse than having to code in a miniature cubicle with an underpowered laptop (been there, xcode on a 3 year old standard macbook?) and no external monitor.
3) For you to treat me like an adult and an important part of your company. I don't need to be chastised for not working over 40 hours a week or arriving at 10 instead of 9. If you don't do so I might work an 80 hour week when it really is needed as a thank you for not being a pointy haired boss and I'll make sure I'm giving you the results you hired me for.
Listen, as an employer you can be one of two people. The boss everyone is afraid of and secretly hate, or the boss that eats at the same table as the rest of us. I'll give you better results and really care about your company if you're the later. If you're the former, I just want my paycheck until something better comes along.
