This is simply not the case once you’ve been in that situation long enough. It’s pretty terrible. I would rather have lots of busywork than be sitting on my hands with nothing to do yet still have the obligation for the company.

Working on something due to lack of work during a zoom meeting is entirely different than doing something in my own time when I have zero obligation to get called out of it at any moment. This prevents Deep Work from occurring. It’s thoroughly unsatisfying, and work is simply not just “time for money”.

The shopping online etc that they’re referring to is being done out of boredom, not out of necessity. It’s a dopamine loop. Same with browsing social media or chatting online.

Please don’t dismiss people and handwave when they’re trying to discuss issues.