Worth ethic ethics

[Lagom]

(I will note that I am posting this during my lunch hour) :)

This has probably come up before but I couldn't find a thread and I think the conversation is interesting. Many people assert that when you accept a job, one of the things you "owe" your employer is a consistent max-effort during the workday. They hired you to do your best work, and that is what you are ethically obligated to give them.

Personally, I always found that attitude strange. If I am hired to do X & Y, and manage not only to do those, but with a successful dash of Z on top, does it matter that I slack off a bunch and frequently don't give my full effort? While I may have been hired with the expectation that I will give 100%, if 60% is giving them better than they expected from the position, I don't see any problem with continuing in that fashion. I used to think this was pretty straightforward, but I have met lots of people who strongly disagree, citing things like time theft as reasons why the behavior is questionable. Or perhaps the employer overestimated the demands of the position (maybe the last guy was also a time thief!), and it's unethical to take advantage of that by not mentioning your additional bandwidth.

Then there are additional shades of gray. If you agree that meeting expectations is the only ethical obligation, does it matter what you do with the rest of your time? If I build a side hustle on company time, is that unethical, even if I am still exceeding all of my metrics? What about browsing the MMM forum? perusing industry news that is unrelated to my specific job? etc.? Do the answers change if I am exempt vs hourly?

My reasons for working hard are mostly selfish (increased promotional opportunities, stronger network, more marketable skill set, etc.), but I don't feel I owe that to my employer, just to myself.

What say you, mustachians?

[Libertea]

I think it depends on how you're paid.  If you're getting an hourly wage, then yes, doing personal stuff during the time you're being paid to work is a form of theft.  If I agree to work eight hours per day, and I finish my assigned tasks in five hours, then the right thing to do is go to the boss and ask for more tasks for the remaining time (or to go home early and only be paid for the time worked).  But if you're on salary where you get paid a flat amount regardless of how much work there is to do, or if you're on commission/consulting where you're paid based on completion of the job you've agreed to complete, then you have flexibility for how you wish to use your time, as long as you get the work done as agreed.

I currently work on salary.  Sometimes I have downtime at work where I'm being paid to surf the web, and sometimes I work extra hours on my own time to get work done because I can't get everything I need to finish done during the time I'm physically at work.  I end up not surfing the web much at work because I would rather not be working when I'm off.  But if I choose to goof off at work and work on my days off, I have that ability to some degree, as long as I get the work done in a timely manner.

[big_slacker]

Salaried here. I'm paid for results, not time. My employers always see me as a top performer so I don't think there are any ethical considerations involved with that.

Moonlighting is maybe a different matter. I do separate day job work and side work time, and definitely if there is a conflict the day job wins. That's only right and ethical. I turned down a very lucrative side gig opportunity that would basically have been and extra 70% pay because I knew without a doubt there would have been conflicts that would compromise performance at my primary job.

So for me being able to deliver high quality work at my job is my north star in terms of work ethics, not time served.

[gaja]

I'm paid by the taxpayers. Sure, I could work like normal people, instead of doing the job of two. You wouldn't mind paying more tax to cover the salary of one extra government employee?

On the other hand, I don't work a minute more than my contract says. The extra hours in the stressful months are all documented and taken as PTO in the summer. This year, it was almost four weeks.

[Lagom]

Salaried here. I'm paid for results, not time. My employers always see me as a top performer so I don't think there are any ethical considerations involved with that.

Moonlighting is maybe a different matter. I do separate day job work and side work time, and definitely if there is a conflict the day job wins. That's only right and ethical. I turned down a very lucrative side gig opportunity that would basically have been and extra 70% pay because I knew without a doubt there would have been conflicts that would compromise performance at my primary job.

So for me being able to deliver high quality work at my job is my north star in terms of work ethics, not time served.

So to clarify, would you argue that even if, for example, the moonlighting opportunity reduced you from always contributing high quality work to always contributing satisfactory work and often/sometimes contributing high quality work (i.e. you are not "failing" any of your responsibilities), it would still be unethical to take advantage?

[Chris22]

It gets grayer the higher you get.

As an hourly employee, you get paid to work hours.

As a lower level salaried employee, you get paid to accomplish tasks.

As you get higher on the food chain, you still get paid to accomplish tasks, but you are also being paid to find new tasks (opportunities) and complete them on your own/delegate them to others.  I would say I theoretically could work 24/7/365 if I desired, because there is always SOMETHING that can be done.  But, a reasonable employer is not hiring an employee to be 100% effective 100% of the time, they're hiring someone who will consistently deliver high performance, and they will understand that occasionally that person needs a break, whether it's 10 min of web surfing, water cooler chat, taking a dump, taking a smoke break, whatever.   

[tooqk4u22]

It gets grayer the higher you get.

As an hourly employee, you get paid to work hours.

As a lower level salaried employee, you get paid to accomplish tasks.

As you get higher on the food chain, you still get paid to accomplish tasks, but you are also being paid to find new tasks (opportunities) and complete them on your own/delegate them to others.  I would say I theoretically could work 24/7/365 if I desired, because there is always SOMETHING that can be done.  But, a reasonable employer is not hiring an employee to be 100% effective 100% of the time, they're hiring someone who will consistently deliver high performance, and they will understand that occasionally that person needs a break, whether it's 10 min of web surfing, water cooler chat, taking a dump, taking a smoke break, whatever.

I would say the higher the food chain you go you are expected to be available 24/7/365 and working more than traditional 40 hours - but those hours actually worked vary at any given time.

[Luck12]

If you are doing the minimum necessary not to get fired, you're doing enough from an ethics perspective.    I mean they wouldn't pay you any more than what's necessary to keep you. 

[Blueskies123]

u "owe" your employer is a consistent max-effort during the workday. They hired you to do your best work, and that is what you are ethically obligated to give them.
 If you agree that meeting expectations is the only ethical obligation,

 does it matter what you do with the rest of your time? If I build a side hustle on company time, is that unethical, even if I am still exceeding all of my metrics? What about browsing the MMM forum? perusing industry news that is unrelated to my specific job? etc.? Do the answers change if I am exempt vs hourly?

My reasons for working hard are mostly selfish (increased promotional opportunities, stronger network, more marketable skill set, etc.), but I don't feel I owe that to my employer, just to myself.

I see these comments on the particular Board too frequently.  It is very difficult to deliver high performance without being the hardest worker.  Yes I surfed MMM on my lunch break, if I got one,  but I was the first one in the office and the last one to leave.  There is no substituent for hard work if you want to be a success in some kind of profession or line of work.  My only suggestion is the you become the hardest working employee and get into management.  Failing that you will always be a "Meets Expectations" kind of person.  Your other option is to marry well and cruise thru life.

[Chris22]

It gets grayer the higher you get.

As an hourly employee, you get paid to work hours.

As a lower level salaried employee, you get paid to accomplish tasks.

As you get higher on the food chain, you still get paid to accomplish tasks, but you are also being paid to find new tasks (opportunities) and complete them on your own/delegate them to others.  I would say I theoretically could work 24/7/365 if I desired, because there is always SOMETHING that can be done.  But, a reasonable employer is not hiring an employee to be 100% effective 100% of the time, they're hiring someone who will consistently deliver high performance, and they will understand that occasionally that person needs a break, whether it's 10 min of web surfing, water cooler chat, taking a dump, taking a smoke break, whatever.

I would say the higher the food chain you go you are expected to be available 24/7/365 and working more than traditional 40 hours - but those hours actually worked vary at any given time.

Two different things.  I am saying I could make enough real value-added work to fill an entire year if I desired.  There's always another way to analyze things, another aspect of the business I could look into, another initiative I could champion, etc etc. 

I also make myself available about 17 hours a day (I turn my phone on silent from 11pm-545AM) but am not working that many hours, that's a different aspect of it. 

[Prairie Stash]

Is my employer ethically bound to pay me the maximum they should?

[big_slacker]

Salaried here. I'm paid for results, not time. My employers always see me as a top performer so I don't think there are any ethical considerations involved with that.

Moonlighting is maybe a different matter. I do separate day job work and side work time, and definitely if there is a conflict the day job wins. That's only right and ethical. I turned down a very lucrative side gig opportunity that would basically have been and extra 70% pay because I knew without a doubt there would have been conflicts that would compromise performance at my primary job.

So for me being able to deliver high quality work at my job is my north star in terms of work ethics, not time served.

So to clarify, would you argue that even if, for example, the moonlighting opportunity reduced you from always contributing high quality work to always contributing satisfactory work and often/sometimes contributing high quality work (i.e. you are not "failing" any of your responsibilities), it would still be unethical to take advantage?

In my field people that keep things operational but not updated or optimal, not properly controlled, not documented well, etc. end up having the kind of massive data breaches you read about in the news. So yes I would see that as unethical and below my own standards. I've had times when I've done work that wasn't up to snuff due to time, (in retrospect) bad planning or execution but to do it knowingly and for my own profit no way.

[Gronnie]

I see these comments on the particular Board too frequently.  It is very difficult to deliver high performance without being the hardest worker.  Yes I surfed MMM on my lunch break, if I got one,  but I was the first one in the office and the last one to leave.  There is no substituent for hard work if you want to be a success in some kind of profession or line of work.  My only suggestion is the you become the hardest working employee and get into management.  Failing that you will always be a "Meets Expectations" kind of person.  Your other option is to marry well and cruise thru life.

This is completely untrue. I usually put in the least amount of hours and get great reviews and bonuses over 100% of target (meaning others are getting < 100%, because it is a finite pool that the manager divides up.)

[okits]

Is my employer ethically bound to pay me the maximum they should?

Your comment made me think of this Dilbert.

[MMMdude]

u "owe" your employer is a consistent max-effort during the workday. They hired you to do your best work, and that is what you are ethically obligated to give them.
 If you agree that meeting expectations is the only ethical obligation,

 does it matter what you do with the rest of your time? If I build a side hustle on company time, is that unethical, even if I am still exceeding all of my metrics? What about browsing the MMM forum? perusing industry news that is unrelated to my specific job? etc.? Do the answers change if I am exempt vs hourly?

My reasons for working hard are mostly selfish (increased promotional opportunities, stronger network, more marketable skill set, etc.), but I don't feel I owe that to my employer, just to myself.

I see these comments on the particular Board too frequently.  It is very difficult to deliver high performance without being the hardest worker.  Yes I surfed MMM on my lunch break, if I got one,  but I was the first one in the office and the last one to leave.  There is no substituent for hard work if you want to be a success in some kind of profession or line of work.  My only suggestion is the you become the hardest working employee and get into management.  Failing that you will always be a "Meets Expectations" kind of person.  Your other option is to marry well and cruise thru life.

You remind me of my colleague at work.  We have the same tasks and I put in my 40 hours per week, no more unless there is some kind of crisis.  He is there around 60 hours per week.  There is something to be said for efficiency.  I will always pick the smarter guy versus hours worked guy. 

[LivlongnProsper]

u "owe" your employer is a consistent max-effort during the workday. They hired you to do your best work, and that is what you are ethically obligated to give them.
 If you agree that meeting expectations is the only ethical obligation,

 does it matter what you do with the rest of your time? If I build a side hustle on company time, is that unethical, even if I am still exceeding all of my metrics? What about browsing the MMM forum? perusing industry news that is unrelated to my specific job? etc.? Do the answers change if I am exempt vs hourly?

My reasons for working hard are mostly selfish (increased promotional opportunities, stronger network, more marketable skill set, etc.), but I don't feel I owe that to my employer, just to myself.

I see these comments on the particular Board too frequently.  It is very difficult to deliver high performance without being the hardest worker.  Yes I surfed MMM on my lunch break, if I got one,  but I was the first one in the office and the last one to leave.  There is no substituent for hard work if you want to be a success in some kind of profession or line of work.  My only suggestion is the you become the hardest working employee and get into management.  Failing that you will always be a "Meets Expectations" kind of person.  Your other option is to marry well and cruise thru life.

You remind me of my colleague at work.  We have the same tasks and I put in my 40 hours per week, no more unless there is some kind of crisis.  He is there around 60 hours per week.  There is something to be said for efficiency.  I will always pick the smarter guy versus hours worked guy.

On a similar note I have always gravitated towards those who put in the extra effort and worked harder(not always longer) over the smarter person that didn't show the effort.

[undercover]

Ethics isn't really a factor here in my opinion. Employers don't care about how you feel about the situation. They care about how they feel. If they feel you're slacking off excessively and they aren't getting their money's worth - they'll let you go. They're certainly not there to worry about ethics - they'll fire you even if you need the money or not.

The real question, as others have alluded to, is how much do you want out of life? If you spend most of your time just cruising through, you'll just be a cruiser and accept what you're given. If, however, you're improving your skills on the side and getting more work done faster, you have a better chance of making more money. The "I'll work smart/hard for the shortest amount of time possible to get the work done" mentality is a sure fire way to mediocrity. There's ALWAYS something to do.

[dmd149]

It's interesting how much of this ethics discussion comes down to how people craft an identity for themselves.

Some here are obviously "hard worker and team player" mentality, when others are "gamers" who simply maximum income for the minimum amount of effort and others are very much "contractors" in the sense they will do what they think the contract says they need to do.

I am personally a "gamer" so I tend to view the "hard worker and team player" with a bit of disdain (though I would like to hire them as emloyees).

I think the more we can get away from narratives (in all areas of life) the more clearly we can see. Or rather, we should be able to switch narratives as appropriate. For example, if you are just starting out your career, it's appropriate to be a hard worker and team player just so you develop the skills and gain a good reputation. However, as you get some career capital, I think the gamer mentality will allow you take advantage of your career capital.

Just wanted to share a more meta perspective.

[gaja]

It's interesting how much of this ethics discussion comes down to how people craft an identity for themselves.

Some here are obviously "hard worker and team player" mentality, when others are "gamers" who simply maximum income for the minimum amount of effort and others are very much "contractors" in the sense they will do what they think the contract says they need to do.

I am personally a "gamer" so I tend to view the "hard worker and team player" with a bit of disdain (though I would like to hire them as emloyees).

I think the more we can get away from narratives (in all areas of life) the more clearly we can see. Or rather, we should be able to switch narratives as appropriate. For example, if you are just starting out your career, it's appropriate to be a hard worker and team player just so you develop the skills and gain a good reputation. However, as you get some career capital, I think the gamer mentality will allow you take advantage of your career capital.

Just wanted to share a more meta perspective.

You also need to factor in if it is a J.O.B., or if it is something you believe in and enjoy. Almost all my projects at work are based on my own ideas. They benefit the employer (and the taxpayers), but they are also fun. My boss and I cooperate to ensure that boring routine tasks don't take too much of my work day. But being granted all that freedom to control my work day, I have to give back some extra effort and flexibility. Parts of my job I would probably do whether I got paid or not.

[Paul der Krake]

Like Chris22 said, even though I am not even on the food chain, a large part of my job is lining up, defining, refining, and executing my team's work.

If we weren't doing the first two, my employer would be outsourcing the entire building.

[Greenroller]

Hourly here. In a business that regardless if your the hardest worker or the laziest- everyone receives the same annual merit increase.  Guess what that encourages? ( well it's not everyone's best 😬)

[Spitfire]

Some here are obviously "hard worker and team player" mentality, when others are "gamers" who simply maximum income for the minimum amount of effort and others are very much "contractors" in the sense they will do what they think the contract says they need to do.

Fellow gamer here lol. I am neither proud nor ashamed of it. Hard workers do not bother me. I get my work done but no more. I'm just trying to make it to 5:30 every day.

[Highbeam]

I am salaried but with a minimum 40 hour work week on the job. The flow of tasks within my role is variable but can wait on me for several weeks so there is a surge tank type of mentality. Keep some work in the surge tank so that you are never without work. By design I am a chair warmer for part of the days and/or I pace myself to prevent lack of work. Your role in the company can permanently expand if your boss thinks you have too much chair warmer time so you'd better always have something to do. If you screw this up and expand your role in the company then you will not be able to keep up with the work load when the flow of tasks increases and will be deemed a failure.

I do not want a promotion. I just need to serve my time to accomplish my personal goals. Keep it going as they say.

 

[Chris22]

It's interesting how much of this ethics discussion comes down to how people craft an identity for themselves.

Some here are obviously "hard worker and team player" mentality, when others are "gamers" who simply maximum income for the minimum amount of effort and others are very much "contractors" in the sense they will do what they think the contract says they need to do.

I am personally a "gamer" so I tend to view the "hard worker and team player" with a bit of disdain (though I would like to hire them as emloyees).

I think the more we can get away from narratives (in all areas of life) the more clearly we can see. Or rather, we should be able to switch narratives as appropriate. For example, if you are just starting out your career, it's appropriate to be a hard worker and team player just so you develop the skills and gain a good reputation. However, as you get some career capital, I think the gamer mentality will allow you take advantage of your career capital.

Just wanted to share a more meta perspective.

It also depends on whether you are thinking about just your current role, or have a larger plan in mind.  I work hard because I want that promotion to move to the next level.  I fully anticipate that there will come a point where I no longer need/want to move up, and I will adjust accordingly.  I would also say there's some "gamer" in it because I learned what are the high visibility, high priority things I need to work hard on in order to move up (some of which is just networking/BSing/ass-kissing), and what is a lesser priority that I can let slide. 

[Slee_stack]

If the company feels I am unethical, I am absolutely content with them firing my ass.

Funny thing about salary....

Company always encourages the extra hours worked (for $0), but its a snowfall in July when they encourage you to work a 'short' week.  Why is that?

Oh yeah...they're looking out for themselves.  I suppose that's 'ethical'?

Tit for tat.

[Schaefer Light]

The real question, as others have alluded to, is how much do you want out of life? If you spend most of your time just cruising through, you'll just be a cruiser and accept what you're given. If, however, you're improving your skills on the side and getting more work done faster, you have a better chance of making more money. The "I'll work smart/hard for the shortest amount of time possible to get the work done" mentality is a sure fire way to mediocrity. There's ALWAYS something to do.

I disagree with this.  I've always given my work and studies my best effort, but I quickly run out of things to do.  Maybe I just don't see the big picture.  But then I really don't care about getting a promotion any more, either.  I was happier in a lower paying role. 

It's funny.  The more money I make (& save), the less I care about work.  I do think there's something to your point about trying to get more out of life.  I just don't think work is the place where I'm going to get it.

[Caymanite]

It's funny.  The more money I make (& save), the less I care about work.  I do think there's something to your point about trying to get more out of life.  I just don't think work is the place where I'm going to get it.

COMPLETELY agree with this.  My desire to work hard in a position that I don't give a shit about has decreased to about zero as my savings have increased.  Just left a high paying position to work in something more interesting (I hope) and actually more lucrative in the long-term.  That is the point of FU money IMO: don't be tied to any job/boss/country and you can take more risks, if you desire. 

[LiveLean]

This is why I only lasted in a full-time job until I was 29.

No matter how efficiently I worked and how much I accomplished for an employer, I could only earn so much. I was expected to be physically in the office 40-50 hours no matter how fast I got things done. And I was not allowed to do freelance work, even though it was non-competitive.

Went freelance 17 years ago and never looked back. When you're not addicted to the every-other-Friday paycheck, there's no restriction to how you spend your time or how much you earn.

[undercover]

The real question, as others have alluded to, is how much do you want out of life? If you spend most of your time just cruising through, you'll just be a cruiser and accept what you're given. If, however, you're improving your skills on the side and getting more work done faster, you have a better chance of making more money. The "I'll work smart/hard for the shortest amount of time possible to get the work done" mentality is a sure fire way to mediocrity. There's ALWAYS something to do.

I disagree with this.  I've always given my work and studies my best effort, but I quickly run out of things to do.  Maybe I just don't see the big picture.  But then I really don't care about getting a promotion any more, either.  I was happier in a lower paying role. 

It's funny.  The more money I make (& save), the less I care about work.  I do think there's something to your point about trying to get more out of life.  I just don't think work is the place where I'm going to get it.

I worded that poorly: there's ALWAYS something to do until there isn't :P There isn't anything left to do of extreme importance if you're not in debt and have enough money stashed to where work is optional. I was just saying that maybe anyone who still is in debt or not completely FI should work extra hard until they are so that they get there sooner. Still, I know there are others that would rather do as much as they can to enjoy their life now rather than put it off until their stash is just right. Just depends on the person I guess.

After posting that and doing a bit more introspection...I realize I'm definitely a gamer as well. I'm also at the point where I've stashed enough way that trading much more time for money doesn't make sense. I've always sought exploits and ways to arbitrage my situation in order to reap the most rewards for the least amount of effort. Truth is I love doing...nothing. Or, at least, things that "seem" like nothing like walking/biking/reading/playing games/cooking/friends, etc. I get the most enjoyment out of those things way beyond any amount of focusing on some arbitrary goal at work. So yeah...I agree with you.

[big_slacker]

If the company feels I am unethical, I am absolutely content with them firing my ass.

Funny thing about salary....

Company always encourages the extra hours worked (for $0), but its a snowfall in July when they encourage you to work a 'short' week.  Why is that?

Oh yeah...they're looking out for themselves.  I suppose that's 'ethical'?

Tit for tat.

You must work for some shit companies. The ones I've worked for kick your ass out the door if you're sick, if you have a new baby, if your wife needs to go to the doctor, if you have an epic mountain biking trip planned and want to leave on friday, if there is pow dump at the mountain and it's wednesday, etc. I'm going camping today so I decided to work from home in the morning which just means checking/responding to e-mails which I just finished doing. I didn't even bother to notify my boss, he doesn't care and there is no emergency work to be done. In fact I saw him replying via e-mail on his phone so I'm sure he's not in the office on a sunny friday either. :D

This forum especially I see such negativity and suspicion towards employers that I wonder if I've just been unnaturally lucky or if this is specific to west coast tech where I work and everywhere else sucks.

[Playing with Fire UK]

This forum especially I see such negativity and suspicion towards employers that I wonder if I've just been unnaturally lucky or if this is specific to west coast tech where I work and everywhere else sucks.

Inadequate data to say what is normal but I have never worked in any companies anywhere near that reasonable. My companies suck by this definition.

I would consider yourself lucky /smart to have chosen your industry and location.

[Guesl982374]

If the company feels I am unethical, I am absolutely content with them firing my ass.

Funny thing about salary....

Company always encourages the extra hours worked (for $0), but its a snowfall in July when they encourage you to work a 'short' week.  Why is that?

Oh yeah...they're looking out for themselves.  I suppose that's 'ethical'?

Tit for tat.

You must work for some shit companies. The ones I've worked for kick your ass out the door if you're sick, if you have a new baby, if your wife needs to go to the doctor, if you have an epic mountain biking trip planned and want to leave on friday, if there is pow dump at the mountain and it's wednesday, etc. I'm going camping today so I decided to work from home in the morning which just means checking/responding to e-mails which I just finished doing. I didn't even bother to notify my boss, he doesn't care and there is no emergency work to be done. In fact I saw him replying via e-mail on his phone so I'm sure he's not in the office on a sunny friday either. :D

This forum especially I see such negativity and suspicion towards employers that I wonder if I've just been unnaturally lucky or if this is specific to west coast tech where I work and everywhere else sucks.

This. Its the law of supply and demand. Low supply of capable labor + high demand = High salaries, good defined benefits, and good fringe benefits.

With that being said, I do feel that the majority of the "stress" comes from internally.

[undercover]

This forum especially I see such negativity and suspicion towards employers that I wonder if I've just been unnaturally lucky or if this is specific to west coast tech where I work and everywhere else sucks.

Well I think that most (Internet) tech companies are synonymous with leniency and horizontal management. And since (most) Internet tech companies are on the west coast...or Austin or Seattle...well it makes sense.

Which is why I am never going back to work unless I find this type of environment.

[Jack]

Scotty: Do you mind a little advice? Starfleet captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way, but the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want.
Geordi: Yeah, well I told the Captain I'd have this analysis done in an hour.
Scotty: And how long would it really take?
Geordi: An hour!
Scotty: Aw, you didn't tell him how long it would really take, did ya?
Geordi: Well of course I did!
Scotty: Oh, laddie, you've got a lot to learn if you want people to think of you as a miracle worker!

[LivlongnProsper]

Scotty: Do you mind a little advice? Starfleet captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way, but the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want.
Geordi: Yeah, well I told the Captain I'd have this analysis done in an hour.
Scotty: And how long would it really take?
Geordi: An hour!
Scotty: Aw, you didn't tell him how long it would really take, did ya?
Geordi: Well of course I did!
Scotty: Oh, laddie, you've got a lot to learn if you want people to think of you as a miracle worker!

Scotty was the best!

[Gronnie]

If the company feels I am unethical, I am absolutely content with them firing my ass.

Funny thing about salary....

Company always encourages the extra hours worked (for $0), but its a snowfall in July when they encourage you to work a 'short' week.  Why is that?

Oh yeah...they're looking out for themselves.  I suppose that's 'ethical'?

Tit for tat.

You must work for some shit companies. The ones I've worked for kick your ass out the door if you're sick, if you have a new baby, if your wife needs to go to the doctor, if you have an epic mountain biking trip planned and want to leave on friday, if there is pow dump at the mountain and it's wednesday, etc. I'm going camping today so I decided to work from home in the morning which just means checking/responding to e-mails which I just finished doing. I didn't even bother to notify my boss, he doesn't care and there is no emergency work to be done. In fact I saw him replying via e-mail on his phone so I'm sure he's not in the office on a sunny friday either. :D

This forum especially I see such negativity and suspicion towards employers that I wonder if I've just been unnaturally lucky or if this is specific to west coast tech where I work and everywhere else sucks.

My company is the same as yours. Also tech, but I am in a Midwest location. Zero tracking of hours, including vacation time.