Paying to Work Debate

Comments argue over whether a job or task involves getting paid for work or requires paying upfront to participate, with some criticizing it as exploitative and others defending it as legitimate compensation.

📉 Falling 0.4x Career & Jobs
5,526
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#1709
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
10
2008
35
2009
56
2010
113
2011
127
2012
144
2013
217
2014
178
2015
196
2016
268
2017
354
2018
298
2019
374
2020
410
2021
541
2022
601
2023
701
2024
419
2025
453
2026
35

Keywords

THE paid people paid getting paid pay paid work money job getting paying units

Sample Comments

Eliezer • Jan 29, 2009 • View on HN

Paying to work? Oh, this is not good.

soufron • Dec 19, 2016 • View on HN

I would not call it "being paid".

bastawhiz • Jun 26, 2019 • View on HN

Being paid money they otherwise wouldn't be paid?

jackmott • Mar 14, 2017 • View on HN

well, some people are paid for that.

olistik • Mar 30, 2012 • View on HN

Absolutely, this is THE way for being paid: actually working.

chrisbennet • Mar 31, 2017 • View on HN

Getting paid to do something...

slackerIII • Dec 11, 2008 • View on HN

What do you mean? I'm talking about paying them in return for work.

wilg • Nov 14, 2025 • View on HN

how is it not getting paid for your work?

dclowd9901 • Apr 9, 2014 • View on HN

If you're not getting paid for these days, there's something wrong...

alt_f4 • Mar 27, 2020 • View on HN

that's a job. go pay someone for their work.