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to those of you who get bored at work if there's lots of downtime, why? (linux.community)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I read posts about people quitting jobs because they're boring or there is not much to do and I don't get it: what's wrong with being paid for doing nothing or not much at all?

Examples I can think of: being paid to be present but only working 30 minutes to 2 hours every 8 hours, or a job where you have to work 5 minutes every 30 minutes.

What's wrong with reading a book, writing poetry or a novel, exercising, playing with the smartphone... and going home to enjoy your hobbies fully rested?

Am I missing something?

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 7 months ago (2 children)

This is me. I want a different job because I'm always bored.

It feels meaningless. I'm pushing papers because someone needs papers pushed. Part of my job is actually incredibly useful, but 90% of it is it just me pretending to work by watching YouTube videos so my screen doesn't go dark and I can make sure I'm not showing as Away in Teams.

It's a government job too, so it's unlikely I'll be replaced by AI despite AI being perfect for replacing me and my colleagues.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I don't know if you're complaining but if you are, I don't understand you. I want to be you.

earning money doing almost nothing is meaningless? You earn money for doing nothing! and you cannot be fired, so...

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago

Yeah, but at that point it's not your time. You're essentially selling your life to someone else... and they're not even using it.

You say you can spend your time writing poetry or reading books... but that doesn't scratch an itch for everyone. Being stuck to a desk or other work station means your options are extremely limited. You can't go out and work on your kit-car, or practice a golf swing, or practice monologues for a one person play... or many other things that require a little more activity than being stuck in a chair for nine hours allows.

Money can get you a lot of things in life... but as yet it can not give you time back in your life.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

but 90% of it is it just me pretending to work by watching YouTube videos so my screen doesn't go dark and I can make sure I'm not showing as Away in Teams.

Get a hardware mouse jiggler! I bought one for my partner as a gag gift during the start of the Pandemic, but it's seriously improved their mental health. Taking naps, reading books, and writing all became possible with next to zero risk. Just get Teams to ping your phone when you get a new message.