[eli_gottlieb]

>To what extent can you actually require someone to work longer anyway?

You can reprimand and/or fire them if they don't. Seems to work for most American companies.

[dasil003]

Doesn't work for programmers though because unlike assembly line workers, there's no way to precisely monitor their productivity, so if you force them to stay late they can just mentally check out.

[eli_gottlieb]

Well yes, which is why you should be trying to get programmers to agree with you on their hours.