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Antiwork

A sad tale of Jack, Jill and WFH.

Prior to COVID, Jack and Jill both worked 8-9 hour days. Jill lived near work, so her commute was half an hour a day. Jack drove four hours round trip. When the WFH hammer hit, Jack slowly started working 12 hour days. “Hey, it doesn't really matter, I'd have been commuting anyway.” There was no one to tell Jack, “Hey, man, what are you doing going home at 9? They're not gonna pay you any more for it.” Now Jill is expected to work 11-12 hours as well, even though her “workday” prior to COVID was under 10. Who won here? (This should be a cautionary tale. If you're going to fight for WFH, you should also fight for the same hours as pre-COVID. You should fight for the right to disconnect for 2/3 of the day.)


Prior to COVID, Jack and Jill both worked 8-9 hour days. Jill lived near work, so her commute was half an hour a day. Jack drove four hours round trip. When the WFH hammer hit, Jack slowly started working 12 hour days. “Hey, it doesn't really matter, I'd have been commuting anyway.” There was no one to tell Jack, “Hey, man, what are you doing going home at 9? They're not gonna pay you any more for it.”

Now Jill is expected to work 11-12 hours as well, even though her “workday” prior to COVID was under 10. Who won here?

(This should be a cautionary tale. If you're going to fight for WFH, you should also fight for the same hours as pre-COVID. You should fight for the right to disconnect for 2/3 of the day.)

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