The white collar vs blue collar question is more interesting. Certainly, blue collar workers are much more frequently taken advantage of. They’re also, generally, paid crap wages. (hope I’m not offending anyone; I know there are plenty of exceptions, but physical labor is the least compensated) So they certainly deserve protection under the law. And like someone above just said–Blackberrys vs. waiters? Apples and oranges, Trent. People with Blackberrys are generally not being exploited.

OTOH, there are plenty of people who feel forced, by their office culture, to work excessive hours and do drudgery work that falls outside of their responsibility. Maybe that’s not okay…maybe that’s something we need to think about changing. You’ve given me food for thought on this one.

Many child athletes are worked a lot harder than these focus group kids, and aren’t getting paid.

I don’t doubt that and I don’t mean to say that you or I or any other white collar worker shouldn’t benefit from some protection under labour laws.

The examples in the post refer to IT people and businessmen (or women, whatever) expected to be available via cell phone and Blackberry’s and I maintain that that is apples to oranges as compared with a factory worker on a line somewhere.

Even if you as a programmer are expected to physically stay late (and not just be available over the phone as in the post) it is still different in my opinion. Sitting at a computer (as I myself spend most of my day doing) is not comparable as “work” to someone who spends their day on their feet quite possibly around dangerous materials or equipment. Putting in a long day in a chair and getting tired is not the same as putting in a long day on your feet labouring and physically working your body on a construction site.

I believe that is the case with the children in the focus group as well. Although I think there are better things that an 11 year old could be doing at 8:30 on a school night than taking part in a focus group, it is not the same at all as working in a real job flipping burgers. The focus group is likely a one time thing that they signed up for knowing the hours that would be required in advance. They likely spend that time in relative comfort answering questions and being treated quite well for the privilege of picking their little brains. If one of them wanted to up and leave in the middle of the session that would quite likely be allowed with little or no argument and when it is over they all go off on their merry 11yo ways with a few dollars in their pockets and a good feeling about being in on something that their friends are not, albeit a little later at night than they ought to be. Flipping burgers involves heat generating appliances or even open flames, possibly sharp tools and grease and very likely not being allowed to leave until all the work is done regardless of the hour, and of course being there on a regular schedule not just one time.

Again, I don’t mean to imply that you shouldn’t be protected against abusive employers regardless of your field. But I maintain apples and oranges as far as the examples given.

I work in a white collar job myself and I’m not saying we don’t deserve certain protections but come on, apples and oranges.

Careful with the sexist writing, however unintentional it may have been.