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.