the mandatory presence in a vehicle along with everybody else at the same time, unpaid and very often for hours everyday feels incredibly invasive, wasteful and unjust.
At least in the U.S. almost all of us in this industry are on salary. In that case I don’t think it makes sense to think of a mandatory commute as unpaid. It’s part of the deal and should be factored in accordingly.
That's true, but I've then also subtracted commute times from office hours when I was required to come in. I can't do 8 hours in office plus 1.5 commute time on those days.
I'd make it a solid 4.5 hours of bullshitting with people and using the amenities.
Get my gym time in, go for a walk around the building to be seen. Learn the names of the cleaning staff, ask people if they are "makin' copies", if they are let them know it is "very nice". Can't believe the sportsgame.
Soon enough you'll be promoted and you can use that promotion to go to a competitor and negotiate your previous role, but instead remote.
At least in the U.S. almost all of us in this industry are on salary. In that case I don’t think it makes sense to think of a mandatory commute as unpaid. It’s part of the deal and should be factored in accordingly.