I think it depends. My current job is relaxed over hours - I'll checks emails at home, wander in mid-morning and leave when my works is done. Might be 5 if I ge

I think it depends. My current job is relaxed over hours - I'll checks emails at home, wander in mid-morning and leave when my works is done. Might be 5 if I get it done or have plans, or might be into the evening (quite pleasant/productive to work uninterrupted in a empty room). I've got other colleagues who'll be logged in at 08:30 (so I believe) and leave on the dot of 17:00. I think both approaches work for different people and for the company a mix gives them more flexibility without having to create a formal plan. I think what the article was bringing up was that if you set expectations and are seen to conform to them, everybody is happy (or doesn't think about it). If you're the person who's always there as the office opens and sticks around late - you may be noticed and get a pat on the back, but it's never going to compensate for the additional hours you put in. This might be fine if you have one job and a career - but if you're trying to hold down 2 jobs, those extra couple of hours each day are 50% of the effort of holding down that 2nd job. They're worth 50% of a whole new salary.