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Empty Labor

Idleness and Workplace Resistance
Summary:

The book examines the phenomenon of employees who spend a significant portion of their work hours on non-work-related activities, exploring the reasons behind this behavior and its implications for modern labor and management. It delves into case studies and interviews to understand the motivations for such "empty labor" and discusses its impact on productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational dynamics.

Key points:

1. Empty Labor: Paulsen defines "empty labor" as time when employees aren't working during work hours, often as a reaction to job dissatisfaction or underemployment.

2. Workplace Resistance: The book describes how employees use empty labor as a subtle way to resist their jobs and regain some control over their time.

3. Surveillance and Control: Paulsen notes that despite workplace monitoring to reduce empty labor, workers still find ways to avoid constant productivity.

4. Technology's Impact: The book discusses how tech gives workers more chances to do non-work activities during work hours, but also helps employers track productivity.

5. Management Implications: Paulsen's insights on empty labor suggest that management should reconsider how work is valued and allow for employee downtime and autonomy.

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