There will always be abusers. The issue I see is day 1 asks. Not day N. If I'm out a week asking why is reasonable. If I'm out a day, it's more annoying for everyone.

And I'm not advocating for no limits with no responsibility to the employer. That'd be stupid. Clearly there's a "more sane" middle ground.

Even on a menial job, they are dealing with more value than they make daily, by definition.

A middle road exists, and it is solid, why it isn't being taken, I don't know.