​I previously worked at a credit union where software developer salaries were way under market ($50k–$60k), prompting me to leave and triple my income. ​I later discovered that the chief of technology hired a former developer and close friend as a remote, part-time contractor at a triple-digit hourly rate. This individual maintains a separate full-time job and works completely flexible hours, 20-40 hours. ​This feels like blatant cronyism. Is there any recourse?

Favoritism is a serious issue in some companies. People only listen to what they want to hear and are unwilling to accept different ideas or suggestions during discussions. When someone expresses an opposing opinion, they may end up being excluded or sidelined indirectly.

My manager keeps pressuring me to go for a promotion, but the payoff is terrible. I was passed over last year, so now I feel good about my decision to resist. It's basically endless paperwork and corporate politics for a tiny bump in salary. I'd much rather continue writing code remotely, do my job, and stay under the radar. Is it okay to resist the push to move up?

Ageism sucks. And I see older folks constantly subjected to it. But let's be clear, ageism isn't *just* towards older people. A common occurance is older people trying to pull rank on younger developers, even when the younger devs are clearly more qualified. It seems the more meaningful distinction is not age or years of experience - but whether or not you care about your work, and have continued to refine your taste and explore new ideas. Maybe we need a new metric: "Years of new experience".

Anyone else in their 40s facing assumptions about their skills in interviews? I keep getting asked if I'm "comfortable with modern tools," which feels like a polite way of questioning my age. Is it even appropriate for them to be asking?