7 ms·

I worked in a kind of work-hard-work-hard place (finance). People often making a point of how laate they worked etc. The most productive software guy, by any r

I worked in a kind of work-hard-work-hard place (finance). People often making a point of how laate they worked etc. The most productive software guy, by any reasonable metric of quality and speed, was a guy who came in at 8.30 and left at 5 Pm on the dot every day. He avoided meetings if only could, replied to emails in batch at the end of the day etc. He would suck at these metrics, and yet he’s hands down the best SE I ever worked with.

varispeed 6y ago
For many people staying late is a coping mechanism - they want to escape their abusive partner or mounting chores waiting to suck last breath out of their miserable lives. How good employer could tackle it? At one place I worked, there was a hard 5pm cut off and regardless what was happening people had to leave the office. Any temptation to stay late was nipped in the bud. I can imagine people would still continue working until late from home anyway. If work is an escape, people will find a way. I learned one employee would take their laptop and go to a nearby pub and work in the secluded area of the premises. He said he could do either that or end it once and for all. Didn't want to hear about therapy.