Last year my wife got switched from salary to hourly. This has worked out fine, except last week she told me that the VP called her in and told her that she isn't supposed to be working during lunch to try to make her day 30 minutes shorter. Grumble.
Different thing. Over the years I have learned there are four levels/combinations of stress v productivity and you generally progress through them as you gain knowledge and experience in your field.
1. low stress/low productivity. Figuring things out slowly, moving slowly, learning the ropes, not getting much done. Wading into new OJT, learning checklists, that sort of thing. This step is often skipped, but exists in a few occupations where you get some leeway time to figure stuff out.
2. high stress/low productivity. You've learned more than the new guy about the system you work in, but are not efficient, and still not very good at it. You know all the steps now, but flail around a lot and are very busy, and your work product is not yet where it needs to be. Many jobs start here. With practice, though, you quickly get to...
3. high stress/high productivity. You've figured out the ropes and can get jobs done well. Your work product is good and it shows. However you're still not efficient so you thrash and flail around a lot, always busy and racing to meet deadlines. Here you are at the intersection of very busy and very productive, so this is where bosses/managers want people to be.
4. low stress/high productivity. Finally, you've found all the efficiencies in your system. A seasoned pro, you can get tasks done with practiced ease, and even though work gets done fast it appears like you're very relaxed and always moving slowly. This is a great place to be until your boss finds out, at which time he will give you more work to kick you back to level 3.