Are you saying there is trust between you and developers? Cause you surely don't trust them and the way you describe their communication sounds like they don't trust you.
Also, if they give you non-padded estimate, that is the one they will occasionally miss, will typical manager of your company force them to work weekends and evenings or otherwise punish them? Or will typical be ok with it and accept it as risk factor?
I am asking because the one manager that complained about paddings was the one that took pride in manipulating people into weekends - including by claiming they promised it. I do tight estimates when I know I can be late and generous when I assume it will be law or don't trust management.
Rather than second-guessing a total stranger on the internet - concerning a situation about which you know nothing - you would do well to question why you insist on assuming that everyone is as bad as the worst manager you’ve had.
To answer your question: no. I don’t do any of that. Also, this situation has nothing to do with aggressive schedules.
So then what the issue is? Is company loosing money on that project? Wish bigger effectivity? Estimate is just that - padded one makes it safer to plan. Padded one is also trust signal - people can be lazy while making tight estimates they will not make after. Estimate and when it is done are two different categories.
Also, if they give you non-padded estimate, that is the one they will occasionally miss, will typical manager of your company force them to work weekends and evenings or otherwise punish them? Or will typical be ok with it and accept it as risk factor?
I am asking because the one manager that complained about paddings was the one that took pride in manipulating people into weekends - including by claiming they promised it. I do tight estimates when I know I can be late and generous when I assume it will be law or don't trust management.