I have to work until 67 in my country. So when I'll be off, I'll be way to tired to start new stuff. Moreover, after 50 years old, I'll get a good chance of getting cancer or some other life-changing disease. So I think it's better if I take my time right now...

Final note : this holds because my job is not a dream job, so my return-on-time-investment is weak (I don't consider the ability to buy a big car or around-the-world vacations, or top-notch-phone to be a good return on the time I spend at work)

I presume you mean you have to work until 67 if you rely on the state to fund your retirement?

- low wages meaning lower contributions

- low investment returns

- changes to the tax system

- they started contributing signifiant amounts later in life due to other pressures

Additionally, many people who like to buy 'things' are getting them for the experiences they provide. For example, it's hard to argue that someone who buys a VR system or a hot tub isn't getting 'experiences' when they use them with family and friends.

Just something to consider if you ever use this to berate people too 'materialistic' for your tastes.

I value Internet (a lot). But I don't need a phone to reach it. I value being able to move around, but I don't need a Ferrari to do it. I value meeting other cultures, but I don't need these to be 10000km's from my home.

Now as how I value myself, well, I dunno. I'm more interested in how the others value me :-)

I had the option of working 36 hours each week, but they wouldn't allow more than an 8 hour day. Having one half-day seemed to me like a total waste; not only do I still have to commute every day of the week, I'd only have a short amount of productive time.

So now I do 40/32 and have every other Friday off. It's great. While I work 10% less, and nominally get paid 10% less, the way taxes work out I ultimately only make 7.xx% less.

It is, and I'm working 4*9 now which is great for my spare time and great for maintaining proper income/benefits. That said, I very much agree with the sentiment in the article: it feels like cheating the company. The extra hour a day is even less productive.

That said, I don't really feel guilty as the option described in the post is not available here. Work is important to me, but my spare time more so. I'm willing to work on a compromise to optimise the two, but then both sides have to bring something to the table (e.g. pay cut from me, more time off from my employer).

I don't know why you feel like you're cheating them. Management are human too. They know you aren't productive for the entire day or choose to believe you are.

I am not even convinced I am getting more work done at work. Oh well.