[cendrillon]

I've noticed that my work colleagues work kinda late her, typically till 8-9pm. I leave at 6pm, pretty much on principle, and otherwise my life will just become all work oriented and I'll probably get depressed too.

At the same time, I still feel kinda odd leaving every night with them all sitting in the office. I don't really say good night anymore, since I don't want to rub it in their faces that I'm taking off early.

What are all your experiences?

[greentea]

Some of the HK employees will work late because they want to show their hardworking attitude to their boss. Also, some of my friends working late because they want to see off his boss rather than let his boos see them off!! If you are an expat, you don't need to follow them.

[penguinsix]

Yea, some people work late, but a lot of the time, they fill their days with busy work. It gets kind of funny.

Just do your job. Do everything that is required and then go home and enjoy life. If you do what it is you are supposed to, accomplish what you are asked, and spend sometime thinking of new ways to improve things, than no one can have any complaints about you leaving at a set time. And if they do, well, that isn't the place you want to work now is it?

Of course, if you have a stake in the entity, or a start-up, this doesn't apply.

[Connie]

Yes, I do work late also. I used to work until 10pm, now is much better than before...

[goodkarma]

Some of my staff like to stay late for the cable tv and air con. I don't mind but I don't want them telling people they are working that late because they certainly aren't

[takohk]

greentea is right. But it's also depend on the kind of employee u wanna be and the what kind boss you have, i guess. I used to have an american boss and he liked checking on people when they arrive and leave the office.....and some people came back to the office and sent emails to the whole department on Sat (when everyone was off). These kind of people would be considered to be harding working and good employees by him....On the other hand, my current boss only see results, as long as we get things done and meet the deadlines, he/they are cool with whenever we leave, of course not earlier than the official working hour... Obviously everyone would agree the latter case makes much more sense!

Greentea is also right that foreignes have the privilege to do as they want in offices here .....and everybody understand and envy them.

Have a good week !

[Phoenixchan1980]

I am guessing the culture of workin late is so common all over the world, when I was in NY, ppls trends to work late (because of heavy work load). On the other hand, if u finish ur work on time, I dont think it will be odd to leave the office, if u feel sorry for ur colleagues, stay with them then, otherwise, leave th eoffice n enjoy ur free time. Anyway, dont worry too much about what other ppls think, if ppls feel bad because of ur leavin, tell them "go to hell"

[joanhk]

I also think it depends on which industry you are in as well.
For Merchandising industry, ppl tends to work late esp those inthe buying office due to the time difference between HK and and its Headoffice.

Anyway, everybody should try to maintain work- life balance. I am working on it now : )

[survivorbee]

As someone said, people work late beacuse they want to watch Cable TV or A/C...I totally disagree. I always work late till midnight and I didnt have those stuff. I can't breath when I work overtime. I just turn my fan on. My bosses dont care about how late we work. I am a girl , did they care about ? I am always sleepless and who cares.

[Waterloo]

Hey sorry to hear your experience. Don't u have a choice to quit your job?