In work I'm concerned with writing code my colleagues can maintain. Often the most sensible design decision is to use the technology stack my team mates and I already know. If everyone else uses Linux to write Python web apps I'd need a very good reason to write a Windows only GUI app in C#!
Five years from now, my employer's standard technology stack might be obsolete. If I only gain skills at work, my skill set would be obsolete too. This would harm my future career prospects.
Could an employer pay me enough that I'd give up my side projects, sabotaging my future career prospects? Probably, but it would have to be a lot of money.
Of course, I also maintain a healthy work/life balance and have hobbies that let me get away from the computer and meet other people. This is also important.
I realize that my intended meaning was weaker than my wording. I meant that surely there are others that this should apply to. That is, surely researchers are not unique. But I don't mean that it should apply to everyone.
Five years from now, my employer's standard technology stack might be obsolete. If I only gain skills at work, my skill set would be obsolete too. This would harm my future career prospects.
Could an employer pay me enough that I'd give up my side projects, sabotaging my future career prospects? Probably, but it would have to be a lot of money.
Of course, I also maintain a healthy work/life balance and have hobbies that let me get away from the computer and meet other people. This is also important.