In Episode 11 of IT SPARC Cast - Deep Dive, John and Lou examine one of the biggest workplace tensions—time. Who truly owns your work hours? How has technology blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life? From the history of the 8-hour workday to modern remote work battles, they break down how expectations around time have evolved—and how workers can reclaim control. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating remote work, RTO debates, or burnout prevention.

00:00 - Intro:

•John and Lou introduce the episode’s core theme: time ownership and setting clear expectations in the modern workplace.

01:08 - Recap:

•A quick recap of the previous seven episodes in the remote work series, covering topics like management strategies, technical setups, and RTO concerns.

•YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvipdAxKY_zFcU1Io7WHxag

•ACast Link - https://shows.acast.com/it-sparc-cast 

Time Expectations: The Battle Over Work Hours

02:14 - History of the Work Day:

•How work hours were originally dictated by daylight, shifting only with industrialization.

•Napoleon’s famous quote: “You can ask me for anything you like, except time.”

05:49 - The 8-Hour Work Day:

•The rise of standardized work hours in the 19th and 20th centuries.

•The U.S. railroad industry and unions’ role in securing an 8-hour workday.

07:57 - Exempt vs. Non-Exempt:

•How labor laws distinguish between employees entitled to overtime and those who aren’t.

•The role of HR and legal loopholes in defining job classifications.

09:00 - How Technology is Stealing Your Time:

•Laptops, VPNs, and cell phones have erased the clear boundaries between work and home.

•The unintended consequences of always being connected.

11:13 - Gen X and Changing Work Cultures:

•The stark contrast between Gen X childhood independence and today’s hyper-connected world.

•The shift from “be home when the streetlights turn on” to real-time tracking and constant notifications.

11:47 - Who Owns Your Time?

•The unspoken contract between employer and employee—what do they actually owe each other?

•How companies have subtly extended work expectations beyond paid hours.

•Why workers need to negotiate their time just as they negotiate salary.

17:16 - Remote Work is a Win-Win – RTO is a Lose-Lose:

•Breaking down the real motivations behind return-to-office (RTO) policies.

•Why forcing employees back into the office hurts productivity and morale.

•How companies fail to account for lost commute time and increased work-life balance.

24:12 - Reclaim Your Time:

•Strategies for setting clear time expectations with management.

•Why flexible work is the future—and how workers can advocate for it.

•The importance of documenting work agreements and pushing for explicit contracts.

Wrap Up

28:28 - Mailbag:

•Listener feedback from @ManagingTheBiz on X about virtual coffee breaks and engagement in remote teams.

•A discussion on how absenteeism in optional meetings can indicate deeper organizational issues.

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