I've worked for people like this in similar situations where the job role didn't require precise ass-in-chair time. My suggestion is to handle it one of two wa

I've worked for people like this in similar situations where the job role didn't require precise ass-in-chair time. My suggestion is to handle it one of two ways. First way, just do it, morning person or not it's within your capabilities, but also when you're done working 8 hours you're done for the day. They need to understand that if there's no flexibility on start time then you're punching a clock. Treat it like a clock punching job. Second way, find another job. The job market is pretty strong and most employers are very accommodating to good employees that produce good results. It sounds like right now you might actually have a fairly cushy job right now from what you described where most of your time is filled with personal projects. My employers have always provided me flexibility in times but I rarely have been able to do personal work during their time. The impression I get is that the culture of your work place is changing. This may just be something where the CTO got chewed and is therefore enforcing a policy he has no control over or it should be signs of things to come.