I can completely see why you are inquiring about this - unfortunately it seems some replies are rude back to you simply making an inquiry what others are experiencing - it's good to learn from others and sometimes makes you think about a different outlook, we all learn from that.
I agree - I experience the same thing at my workplace. Never used to see it, people would always find something to do - we work in emergency services, there is always something that can be stocked, cleaned, trained on, preparing for pub ed, etc. However, it is a different world fortunately or unfortunately is in the learned work ethic of the beholder. I was raised and witnessed my parents give 110% to their employer and have a fabulous work/life balance, they did both and enjoyed life and that's the way I feel, but that is me, I don't behold others to that standard. I have many, many co-workers that are in that same mind set as we work for the public, we give the public our all. In my personal experience, I can't sit on a personal cell phone watching videos, playing games, texting, etc. at a place of employment - never - that's not who I am or ever will be, besides, it is so boring! I would rather experience life myself and be present in the experience. I take the time for personal growth getting more education or working on presentations - or if I had that much down time - I would move to a better job experience - there is no personal pleasure for me working somewhere if I have nothing to do to make the job worthwhile for me. What kind of self worth would that be on a "regular basis" to be sitting on your phone getting paid to do nothing the majority of the time - how boring would that be - if that's the case.
On the other hand, if the employer/boss allows this then of course there is nothing - I wouldn't pay people to sit doing nothing and unfortunately employers with good leadership will probably eventually see those positions are not necessary and eliminate them then people will wonder why the job is cut - so it starts at the top also. If the leadership doesn't mind paying people to do nothing - that's on them and when AI or robots replace employees we can't blame the business leaders/owners, robots will keep productive when humans sometimes won't - - unfortunately it is not inspiring to the good workers who find ways to keep productive and grow as employees and oftentimes those engaged employees will leave for their own self growth and worth - and good for them..
One of our top bosses says - I pay you to work 24 hours, if I ask you to do something (reasonable of course) you are responsible to do it while you are here for that time - citizens pay your paycheck to work, not sit around. But that boss also knows the value and balance of down time and does a fabulous job balancing both and he keeps his shift the top shift that everyone wants to work - you are busy, you feel engaged and productive and that you are growing - yet when it comes to down time - you deserve it, enjoy it! Great leaders know the value of both keeping people engaged and keeping people happy.
I do hear you and appreciate the kind and interesting conversations you have started and kind responses - I think it's a good conversation that each of us can learn and experience in different ways and there is no need for rudeness to a great conversation question. Unlike a couple others I don't think this is a generational thing or ageism thing, sometimes people are too quick to jump on that bandwagon, I think it is a work ethic and individual thing. You are possibly like me - I keep productive and engaged, learning, producing and it makes me perfectly happy - others need that mind break and I appreciate that too as long as it isn't taken advantage of - there's always that fine line and as you say they do a great job when they are productive that is probably what the boss is seeing and he/she is content with employees like that. We are all different and all come from differing backgrounds and walks of life - we all have our own goals and desire to grow and be. Me - don't pay me to sit and do nothing, I would quit that would be so absolutely boring for me - I appreciate the challenge and growth - that keeps me experiencing life and engaged in the world.
You do you - take care of what makes you tick - if you are able to, think that perhaps some of those workers are learning and inspired by you in time and will want to engage more themselves - so keep setting your example for yourself, do what makes your work life happy.
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