I'm guessing the people complaining have never had side projects of their own. One of the huge benefits of side projects isn't to pad out your CV, but to decou

I'm guessing the people complaining have never had side projects of their own. One of the huge benefits of side projects isn't to pad out your CV, but to decouple your career and your professional life from your employer. When work sucks family, friends and hobbies can be great at taking your mind off of your work problems, but they can't really free you from the fact that one company controls not only your income, but your entire professional identity. When you do work that is recognized outside of your office, you own that work and shitty managers can't take that away. Not everyone has to be start their own business, but I highly recommend that everyone "owns" something related to their livelihood outside of their 9-5. It means that friends, family and hobbies don't become merely a means of "recovery" from an oppressive job, but things that I can honestly enjoy more because I have an identity outside of my employer.