[WalterBright]

> What in modern society (or even this website) makes you think it's only 40 hours?

Rush hour times makes it pretty obvious. Another thing is I've worked as both employer and employee. People leave after 8 hours.

> You set the hours as a contractor -- literally, in the contact.

Your 40 hour employee contract says 40 hours, literally. Why are you able to stand up for yourself as a contractor (who can be shown the door any second) but not as an employee?

> in an At Will state that can literally get you fired on the spot

Only if they are looking for an excuse to get rid of you anyway. And contractors are easy to fire on the spot, there are no legal restrictions on that.

Also, if you're a contractor, you spend a lot of time looking for contracts. 24/7.