Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Should working while you commute count as
paid time?
If you’re a train commuter, do you often work
on the train to or from the office? If you do, is the time you’ve worked on the
train paid? Most would say no because it is before or after work hours. But
what is the difference between overtime in the office and overwork on the
train? The answer may vary by the type of job. A store clerk or baggage handler
can’t do their jobs offsite while a sales representative or event coordinator
can write reports or respond to emails on the train without being interrupted
by their bosses or phone calls. In fact, there are increasingly more people
working at home because of the outbreak of coronavirus. Then, what is the
difference between working at home and on the train?
Nowadays, many trains offer free wi-fi for
passengers. Though many of them simply watch videos, play games, or read e-books
or digital papers to kill their time or just to relax, some people work
desperately to catch up with their work. In the meantime, more people are now missing
the boundaries between work and home, working on the way to or from work might
help such workers refrain from bringing their work to home, or simply make them work
longer.
In any case, should such work time be paid?
Enjoy reading the article and think if you
prefer working on the train in the first place either you are paid or not.
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