There is also a reward on the number of hours present, instead of the work produced. Someone who is in the office 50 hours is regarded more highly than someone who is there 40, even if the 40 hours per week results in more work done or higher quality.
That is correct. I have seen it so much in the software business. Hours spent are rewarded, not quality or quantity of output.
I had a Euro friend here in the States, a bio-tech scientist. Had a long commute. Figured out how to work the program to his advantage. He’d show up at the offices at 11AM, leave five minutes after the workaholics left around 7PM, produced as much or more than them and was rewarded for his hard work.