The work culture in which workers work for extended hours beyond the…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Time slavery

Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key, which accepts both Option (2) and Option (3). However, only Option (3) is supported by the textbook, as explained below.

Option (1) Flexi working — Incorrect. Flexi-time is a management practice that in theory gives the employee freedom to choose his or her working hours, within limits. In practice it is used to legitimise extended hours, but it is the practice that justifies the long day, not the name of the work culture.

Option (2) Night out — Incorrect. A ‘night out’ is when employees stay overnight in the office, and it happens only when they are faced with a project deadline. The question describes extended hours beyond the regular time every day, not a night spent in the office before a deadline.

Option (3) Time slavery — Correct. In the IT sector an average work day has 10-12 hours, and long working hours are central to the industry’s ‘work culture’. Even when there is no real work pressure, employees stay late due to peer pressure or to show the boss that they are working hard. This work culture is called ‘time slavery’.

Option (4) Work pressure — Incorrect. The point is that employees stay late even when there is no real work pressure, to please their peers or the boss. So the culture in the question is not work pressure.