Imagine having to lurk at the office after wrapping up your work, just because the boss has not logged off. A Reddit user recently lamented how his friend, who works at a Mohali-based IT firm, had no work-life balance, as his manager remains online till 8:00 pm, and no one wants to be seen ‘leaving early’ when the boss is still on shift.
The post, which was shared on the subreddit Indian Workplace, highlighted how, despite completing their tasks well before the end of the day—typically by 6:30 PM—the employees at this mid-sized firm feel compelled to remain at their desks until their manager logs off, which usually happens after 8:00 PM. The strange irony? There’s no pressing work that demands their time. Yet the office remains filled with people pretending to be engaged—scrolling social media, randomly typing, or simply looking occupied—just to avoid the stigma of leaving “early.”
The root of the problem lies in the manager’s presence, the user explained. Team members feel a constant pressure to appear diligent and visible in front of their superior, even if their targets for the day has been met. This culture of ‘optics over output’ reflects a persistent mindset that long hours symbolize commitment, irrespective of actual efficiency or results.
The friend in question is reportedly frustrated by this routine, feeling emotionally and mentally drained by the need to linger solely for appearances. He believes he’s not alone—and wonders if such a practice is the norm across Indian workplaces or a remnant of an outdated work culture where hours logged take precedence over meaningful contributions.
The post struck a chord with many fellow Redditors who shared similar experiences. One respondent argued that this kind of environment is self-sabotaging and that someone has to take the first step to challenge it. They speculated that even the manager might be waiting for someone else to break the cycle.
Others weren’t as optimistic. Some shared that in their experience, leaving the office early—even after completing assigned work—often resulted in being burdened with additional tasks, sometimes even handling work that wasn’t originally theirs. Many claimed it’s less stressful to feign productivity than to risk extra assignments without corresponding rewards such as bonuses, salary increments, or overtime compensation.
One user recalled a situation where their CEO criticized them for clocking out at 7:30 PM, even though the official work hours ended at 7. They were told that as a team leader, leaving before their subordinates set a “bad example.”
The post sheds light on a concerning cultural trend where the value of work is measured not by efficiency but by staying visible—often at the cost of personal well-being.
The post, which was shared on the subreddit Indian Workplace, highlighted how, despite completing their tasks well before the end of the day—typically by 6:30 PM—the employees at this mid-sized firm feel compelled to remain at their desks until their manager logs off, which usually happens after 8:00 PM. The strange irony? There’s no pressing work that demands their time. Yet the office remains filled with people pretending to be engaged—scrolling social media, randomly typing, or simply looking occupied—just to avoid the stigma of leaving “early.”
The root of the problem lies in the manager’s presence, the user explained. Team members feel a constant pressure to appear diligent and visible in front of their superior, even if their targets for the day has been met. This culture of ‘optics over output’ reflects a persistent mindset that long hours symbolize commitment, irrespective of actual efficiency or results.
The friend in question is reportedly frustrated by this routine, feeling emotionally and mentally drained by the need to linger solely for appearances. He believes he’s not alone—and wonders if such a practice is the norm across Indian workplaces or a remnant of an outdated work culture where hours logged take precedence over meaningful contributions.
The post struck a chord with many fellow Redditors who shared similar experiences. One respondent argued that this kind of environment is self-sabotaging and that someone has to take the first step to challenge it. They speculated that even the manager might be waiting for someone else to break the cycle.
Others weren’t as optimistic. Some shared that in their experience, leaving the office early—even after completing assigned work—often resulted in being burdened with additional tasks, sometimes even handling work that wasn’t originally theirs. Many claimed it’s less stressful to feign productivity than to risk extra assignments without corresponding rewards such as bonuses, salary increments, or overtime compensation.
One user recalled a situation where their CEO criticized them for clocking out at 7:30 PM, even though the official work hours ended at 7. They were told that as a team leader, leaving before their subordinates set a “bad example.”
The post sheds light on a concerning cultural trend where the value of work is measured not by efficiency but by staying visible—often at the cost of personal well-being.
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