The problem is the definition of work. Last night I was at a Wine Bar in Houston with Clients and Colleagues from 5:30 to 9:30.
Was it billable? No. Was it paid for? Yes. Does it have work value? Yes. Is it "technically" work? Maybe. Did I have a good time? Yes. Would I have done it if I didn't think there was business value to it? Absolutely not.
That's not always the case, though. I have a friend who works in public accounting who actually does work 80-hour weeks during busy season (i.e. just before taxes are due) and spends pretty much that whole time in the office from what I understand.
Knowledge work is so diversified now, it would be impossible to capture everyone. I was just providing an anecdote as someone who sympathized with the article.
Well, I would classify it as work because it was a social interaction with a comercial intent.
If you were a contractor you could probably justify those expenses as part of your activity because it's culturally acceptable to engage in alcohol consumption with work relationships and you were representing your company while doing so.
Was it billable? No. Was it paid for? Yes. Does it have work value? Yes. Is it "technically" work? Maybe. Did I have a good time? Yes. Would I have done it if I didn't think there was business value to it? Absolutely not.