I don't think it's exceptional. I've signed probably a dozen engineering employment contracts and don't remember any of them specifying minimum hours or overtim

I don't think it's exceptional. I've signed probably a dozen engineering employment contracts and don't remember any of them specifying minimum hours or overtime. Isn't that the definition of salaried employee? I agree that "butt in seat" hours can be an expectation but usually it's not in the contract.