I don't think your stance is unreasonable. Far from it. However, as a worker, I prefer to get paid a lump sum per month as long as I am free to manage my time

I don't think your stance is unreasonable. Far from it. However, as a worker, I prefer to get paid a lump sum per month as long as I am free to manage my time. I work extra when I want to work extra (which usually coincides with my employer needing some extra help). When I need time off, I take it. Normally I work more than I get paid for. Sometimes disaster strikes, or illness, or once in a lifetime opportunities. I want my employer to respect what I do and give me the opportunity to take the time that I need. I freely give them my time. They freely give me my space. I've worked in places where they track every second. You have a certain number of sick days and god help you if you need more. Punch in. Punch out. Emergencies happen and I'm off to my manager to sign off my overtime slip before I'll even think about stemming the flow of money resulting from downtime. I could go on for a long time, but you get the point. I don't like working for places that act that way. And while I understand the necessity to protect those that must work in such terrible conditions, I don't want to give up the way I like to live: where we both freely give each other what we need. One quick final comment. I don't leave this to chance. I tell my employers pretty clearly that this is how I like to live. If they can't accommodate me, it's usually a sign for me to start looking elsewhere to work. Not everybody has that luxury, but I think it is the ideal they should strive for rather than what people usually ask for (overtime pay).