Echoing some of the other comments .. once I read this story 1) As everyone else knows.. oh yes we have 40 hour a week IT jobs... when is the last time you had a consistent 40 hours? so they're saying hmm we'll pay them for 30 and get the same hours out of them 2) Again - cutting other key benefits such as health insurance - employer provided ones that is ... I am sure they won't be equal to other works -- be it options or perks etc. What companies say and what happens in reality I'm sure are different things... Maybe it's benefits .. but scaled down ... I'd like to get a chat with a 30 hour worker after the honeymoon is over and see what happens 3) Once a place is deemed a sweatshop, unless the place gets turned over inside and out, ownership and management-wise... it's always a sweatshop

So I've been at a place 18 years'ish .. problem is now.. who can you give as a reference (manager-wise) without alerting your current boss you're "looking" My previous places either don't exist or the people are gone. The current employer keeps you on projects however I find my skills of "current trends and technology" have gone by the way-side because the current employer hires in people that are current. I see most of the new people come and go in afew years, so it's the constant "mentor them" and watch them leave revolving door. Also my current employer now feels .. well he's been here this long I can pretty much get away with anything because he won't quit or leave. Personally there's no loyalty with employers anymore... so in order to keep your skills sharpened and value there I'd leave in five years.