"But most of them will also make exceptions (and in writing) on a case-by-case basis once you prove you're a valuable employee."
The way you've phrased that implies that policy is reasonable. It isn't. Why should anybody have to prove that he is a valuable employee before he gets freedom to do what he wants (on a case-by-base basis) in his free time?
I think companies don't want employees who stop thinking when they walk out the door, and if they just happen to have a key idea while in the shower, they don't want to be blackmailed later on.
Comments
"But most of them will also make exceptions (and in writing) on a case-by-case basis once you prove you're a valuable employee."
The way you've phrased that implies that policy is reasonable. It isn't. Why should anybody have to prove that he is a valuable employee before he gets freedom to do what he wants (on a case-by-base basis) in his free time?
I think companies don't want employees who stop thinking when they walk out the door, and if they just happen to have a key idea while in the shower, they don't want to be blackmailed later on.