alt Hacker NewsIt isn't literally "answer 1 email on a Saturday occasionally" though. I've done that for a lot less. The expectation is to work 7 days/week and/or be available to work anytime.
I appreciate that this is the reality for many jobs with lower pay - especially retail and fast food. Software and software-adjacent jobs are not like that though. Professionals in this field have, for the past quarter century, had better opportunities. I understand it's a unique job market right now and people do what they must.
I am in software. It's just that the bargaining power of juniors and new grads has fallen through the floor, but companies are still not willing to hire any of us. I would even work the full 7 work day/week schedule (despite all its negative effects) for CA$100k - which was once considered to be just an okay rate for a mid-level dev. I bet that many people I know would also take that offer.