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Comment by 5350-uiop-1130 | Hacker News Reader

Honestly, this blog post is incredibly, incredibly bad advice (well intentioned) but still really bad. The average organisation doesn't operate this way.

If you make yourself disposable you are far far more likely to be disposed of then promoted in 9 out of 10 companies.

I would even go as far and as cynical to say that if the documentation you create is so good you will just be replaced with by cheaper staff, outsourced or freelancers/contractors.

edit: honestly, the worst advice i have ever read on HN in like 10 years. you relationship with your employer is based on leverage, if you make yourself too disposable you are skewing the balance of power against yourself.

fwiw i am always a happy to provide basic docs and support to team members but i'm not going to document or automate myself out of a job. i've seen it happen too many times.

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Honest question: do you think that the point of view "your relationship with your employer is based on leverage" creates a plethora of twisted incentives that make life for everyone more miserable (while protecting employment, to an extent)

It really does make life miserable in a low key way. Of course it depends a lot on the organisation and the personalities that you work with, particularly management but I would say for every 1 great manager who notices and appreciates your contributions there are 9 who don't.

I have a very cynical perspective of workplace dynamics because I've been (and seen others) burnt too many times for taking the initiative or being (in my opinion) too naive in their relationship with management and HR.

edit: I think i was a bit too harsh my original comment. I think it is good to make yourself disposable (to yourself) but not to the company. If that makes sense. I have lots of documentation and cmd scripts for basic automation but I avoid sharing them on internal wikis or repos. I only share them with devs on request informally.

If you get disposed of in 9 out of 10 companies, then 50% of the time it takes about five disposals to find a job where you do get promoted. Seems like the strategy to take if you want long term success and not long term marginal subsistence.

I do agree - If there are two employees with the same work output, the one who took the time and effort to pave his way to replacement is going to be let go first.

this legitimately makes me feel sad for you. i know that there are companies like this, but do you really want to work for them? i like this article and i feel like taking these initiatives would be greatly valued by my org and would lead to more respect, more responsibility, more visibility, and more pay.

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