An exploratory study on China's software engineers' unpaid overtime working

ABSTRACT

Unpaid Overtime Working widely exists in current China's software industry. However, there are few empirical studies on this issue. In this paper, we describe an ongoing exploratory study on the unpaid overtime working of the China's software engineers. We use semi-controlled interview as our major research method and some preliminary results are presented. We describe the software engineers' attitudes, current unpaid overtime working situations and summarize six reasons that motivate them accept unpaid overtime working. The influence of the unpaid overtime working is also presented from both the individual and organizational levels.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Staffing

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.7 THE COMPUTING PROFESSION
      K.7.1 Occupations

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management

Keywords:
exploratory study, software development organization, unpaid overtime working