This. so much policy is designed around the idea that people should work a 9-5 at a corporation, without any consideration for the fact that this simply doesn’t support a lot of people’s needs. We need more flexibility not less.

Ironically this completely flies in the face of any motion or ‘diversity and inclusion’.

What you described is called "sick leave" in Europe and you are entitled to sick pay by law.

In Europe, any time he wanted to get this sick leave, he would need to go to a doctor every single time. That means multiple visits at a doctor every week. After a few weeks or months of being only available randomly, he would get fired from most jobs anyway (which happens regularly in Europe too, there is just a few more hoops to jump through).

While I agree with the thrust of your statement, he'd probably only need to go once a week at most.

On average I was going to three doctors a week. Mostly trying to find out what the heck was going on with me. Each outing would eat up all of my energy for a couple of days. I have nothing left for work family or generally life.

At a certain point I had to stop going to the doctor so I would be able to get enough hours in keep keep the house.

Apologies - I meant in order to stay on sick leave in Europe, not for diagnosis purposes.

Are you claiming that gig/piece work isn't a "job" for an "employee"?

If you are an employee, the employer has the right to dictate your schedule and put significant more restrictions on how and when you work, which they do because it's more economically efficient for them to do so (think: time and transition costs). When your a contractor, not so much.