I still can't believe they went that way on this one. If there is pre-task an employer requires you to do before they start your main tasks, then that pre-task is still a task and the employee should be paid for it. If you can't figure out how to make that pre-task more efficient, then that is your fault as an employer.

"But people may purposely do things to slow down the pre-task and make money doing their non-task."

Then fire them for being laggards or figure out what is wrong with your process.

When SCOTUS makes a 9-0 ruling that goes the WTF way, it is because the law is (morally) wrong but Constitutional.

In 1802, SCOTUS would rule 9-0 in favor of slavery, because the law was clear. SCOTUS fixes incoherent law, not morally wrong law.