[ronaldinho]

Hi,

Just wondering if it was the general culture in HK to work half day Saturdays??

Also, is there a culture of staying back for as along as you can for the sake of looking like you're working hard?? Or perhaps is it frowned upon if you're the 1st to leave??

tks

R

[dougp]

Saturday is a normal working day for a lot of people, but big/international companies usually stick to the 2 day weekend. Depends on the company and the job.

As for staying back and not leaving first, again it depends on the work environment, but there is a lot of it about. In general I think it's more the case in local companies or areas where the work culture is affected more by locals than "westerners". Left to our own devices we still bugger off as early as we can get away with

[ronaldinho]

I just don't see the point in staying back any longer than you should once you've done what you're supposed to do... My belief is that if you have to stay back for more than the hours of operation on a daily basis, then you have a problem with time/task management or a lazy S.O.B. cos you surf the net all day and do your work when it's time to go home just so it looks like you're putting it in...

[riyaaz]

I think everyone should work for 5 days and weekends off. Just recently the HK Government decided that the Government workforce will work for 5 days instead of 5 1/2 and there are also some talks going on for the banking industry to follow the same direction.
As for leaving early or staying back, well it is up to the individuals ability to complete a given task. If there are deadlines to meet then obviously that individual has to do some overtime. But unfortunatly most companies in HK including mine don't pay for overtime but saying that thankfully till this day I haven't had to do much overtime but only once I had to stay back an hour because a task was given to me when I was suppose to leave. I think it is best if one leaves on time rather than early because then you might be accused of not having an interest in your job.

[ronaldinho]

Hopefully the banking industry will follow suit because it seems to be an industry of great general influence over other industries... Weekend time should be off limits!!

[Petesy]

Most local companies (even major ones) are so understaffed that people have no choice but to work lots of overtime.

As for 5-day work, the idea is to pile another hour to your workdays, so instead of working 9-6/5.5 days it becomes 9-7/5 days.

[pin]

The company I'll be working for, while its an international company has a 5.5 day policy, but on a rota system. Basically you are required to work one Saturday morning a month.

However I hear it is not that onerous, its more of the case that there is someone manning the post just in case something happens. I understand its more of a case of having your breakfast, checking your emails and making some phone calls.

However I guess it really depends on the organisation you work for.

[HKChigger]

Originally Posted by ronaldinho

I just don't see the point in staying back any longer than you should once you've done what you're supposed to do... My belief is that if you have to stay back for more than the hours of operation on a daily basis, then you have a problem with time/task management or a lazy S.O.B. cos you surf the net all day and do your work when it's time to go home just so it looks like you're putting it in...

What about in cases where you have so much work piled on you that it is impossible to get it done in office hours. I know someone who replied to this thread that was working like 8am-10pm 6-7 days a week for months due to a huge project. Is he lazy or having problems with time management?

As for your original question it really depends on what field you work in. For instance if you work as a crew member at mcdonalds you may be working Saturdays and even Sundays with other day off each week and may need to stay late, where as if you are the president of PCCW or something you may work Monday to Friday 9-5 with no questions asked.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by HKChigger

where as if you are the president of PCCW or something you may work Monday to Friday 9-5 with no questions asked.

Oh dear! The naivety of youth...

[penguinsix]

Staying late for the sake of staying late is a double edge sword. Sure it 'looks like' you are in for the long haul, but many managers are able to see through the 'busy work' going on (and there is a lot of it in many office where people 'stay late'). My wife's office was filled with people like this--I could tell because they always looked constipated.

Those who succeeded in my office were those who stayed as much as needed to finish the task at hand. There is a certain 'confidence' that you exude if you leave when you are done, not when everyone else wants you to. The busy work people might say 'he's a slacker' but if your work product speaks for itself, go home when you are ready.

Life is too precious to waste it filing stuff for the sake of filing...