I think about work problems that way, but I think the same way about my side projects.
I don't know exactly what my contract says about side project IP but I'm assuming it's a vanilla "we own what you make on company time and/or relating to company business".
I have zero problems with that.
What would the alternative be from the perspective of my employer? Assuming they own the game I make on weekends because I'm an employee? Or hoping that because they pay me so well, I'd spend any time coding on evenings doing stuff that benefits my employer?
Of course I think about my side projects while working, just like I think about my work problems at home, or my family while working. It's hard to imagine not doing that. I work 8 hours per day and if it's interesting work I might think about it in the evening. But no compensation would make me an employee in my spare time.
I don't know exactly what my contract says about side project IP but I'm assuming it's a vanilla "we own what you make on company time and/or relating to company business".
I have zero problems with that.
What would the alternative be from the perspective of my employer? Assuming they own the game I make on weekends because I'm an employee? Or hoping that because they pay me so well, I'd spend any time coding on evenings doing stuff that benefits my employer?
Of course I think about my side projects while working, just like I think about my work problems at home, or my family while working. It's hard to imagine not doing that. I work 8 hours per day and if it's interesting work I might think about it in the evening. But no compensation would make me an employee in my spare time.