This guy seems to imply that folks at Google, Facebook, etc. are worried about losing their jobs if they don't stay late. In my 5 years at Google, I never once

This guy seems to imply that folks at Google, Facebook, etc. are worried about losing their jobs if they don't stay late. In my 5 years at Google, I never once experienced that fear. I learned a long time ago that my life with my wife and kids were far more important than anything at work, so I left the office around 5-6 almost every day. No one ever said a word to me about it, and it never obstructed my ability to earn more money over time and rise through the company. There were plenty of my colleagues who did the same. What fuels the people that stay late isn't fear, it's a culture that celebrates putting in long hours. It's a poor proxy for productivity, but people (especially those in their early twenties) seem to equate long hours with getting lots of shit done. Of course that's not actually true in many cases, but that's beside the point. Like everything else, you get what you celebrate, and in this case you get people basically living at the office. When you add in free meals, laundry, haircuts, and all other manner of perks, you get people who make the (totally rational) decision that being at work is easier than fending for yourself at home. The moment this translates into a perception that "that guy is working his ass off", you get staying late as a part of your company culture. PS - Many of these folks working until 10pm also don't get into the office until 11am. I sincerely doubt that's when Sheryl Sandberg arrives.