Who's Right?Leaving at 5 pm sharp when others stay: is it frowned upon?
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In short
Leaving at your scheduled time isn't a fault when your work is done. It can still be badly perceived in some teams, especially if you leave without a word during a busy period.
Both sides
I get in at 8:30 every morning and leave at 5, just like my contract says. My work is up to date and nobody has ever complained about it. In the evening I pick up my kids, and that's not up for debate. I don't see why I should stay late just to be seen.
I have nothing against Malik, but when we're wrapping up a big project and he walks out at 5 sharp without asking if we need help, it doesn't sit well. Several of us stay until 7 during those weeks. It feels like the workload falls on whoever stays. Just a quick word before leaving would already help a lot.
The verdict
Malik has the main point on his side: he sticks to his hours and his work gets done. Staying late isn't proof of commitment in itself, and judging people by when they leave rather than by what they deliver encourages presenteeism, which wears everyone out.
Claire still raises a real issue. During a crunch, leaving without a word can look like you don't care about the team. It isn't the departure time that bothers her, it's the lack of communication.
Finally, if several people regularly stay until 7, the problem is probably the workload or the organisation, not Malik. That's for the team and the manager to discuss, not for Malik to make up for.
The compromise
Before leaving on busy evenings, Malik checks in quickly: "I'm heading off at 5, is there anything urgent I can pick up first thing tomorrow?" Claire, for her part, suggests the manager review how work is shared during big projects.
Who do you think is right?
Pick a side.
Frequently asked questions
Should you tell your colleagues when you leave on time?
You don't have to, but a simple "have a good evening, see you tomorrow" often prevents misunderstandings. During busy periods, asking if anything urgent is left shows you're still involved.
Is staying late at the office really seen as a good thing?
In some companies, yes, out of habit. But many managers mainly look at results, and staying late for no reason can also point to an organisation problem.
How should you respond to a comment like "taking the afternoon off?"
Stay calm and factual, for example: "I started at 8:30 and my work is up to date." If the comments keep coming, talk to the person directly or to your manager.
How do you raise the issue of an unfair workload?
Bring it up with your manager using facts: the projects involved, the hours spent, the busy periods. The goal is better organisation, not blaming a colleague.
Guide Workplace disputes: the guide
Written with the help of AI · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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