I definitely come from the "clock out at 5:30" train of thought but:

> Not once has my overtime paid off in any sense - not even been recognised, costing both my physical and mental health.

I hard disagree. In an environment where the norm, and expectation is to leave on time, a _very rare_ overtime ask can make a significant difference. There's a difference between an occasional ask of overtime, and a culture of the team working 50+ hour weeks. In that world, the difference between a 50 hour and a 55 hour (i.e. 2 evenings of staying later than normal) is minimal, and doesn't pay off.

Some of my biggest successes in my career have been because of overtime, a very occasional weekend, but they are the absolute exception, not the norm.

I’m talking about my personal experience. I don’t think anyone is in a position to disagree with it, much less “hard disagree”.

While your point is valid, your opener could use some work.

Same. My median week is less than 40 hrs. But I have occasions of flow state or critical problems that I just can’t let go (not to mention lots of shower cycles spent thinking about work), and I think it’s been good for my career.