While I do sympathize with anyone who is not a morning person, speaking as one who does not function well before 8:30, and who gets completely thrown by Daylight Savings Time . . .

That said, it seems to me that the LW's real problem is that he can't commit to showing up at a consistent time for things that are not 100% enjoyable like, oh, say, work. I suspect that if his boss agreed that he could come in at 8:45, in order to settle in so he could officially start his billable hours by 9:00, I suspect this guy would suddenly find 8:45 too hard, and would be rolling in at 9:30, 10:00, etc.

I would also like to know if this mysterious sleep disorder interferes with any fun and pleasurable activities in his life, in addition to work responsibilities—that would be a serious situation indeed. For example, if he had to claim a cash prize at the Lottery Office at a specific time, would this disorder cause him to be at risk of missing out?

I don't buy it.

Hooooookaaaaaaaaay SCAVOK . . . that was REALLY NOT helpful.

You know, I have a friend who is going through something similar right now, and is in a very dangerous entanglement with a nasty guy ("who is really sweet when you get to know him") and I was going to direct her to this discussion so she could get some perspective . . . but I think I have changed my mind.

"I'll come back on my knees someday" is NOT really what anyone ever needs to be told they should do.

But wait! Maybe I have completely misinterpreted your post!!!!

Silly me, you were just advocating the old line that all women loooooooooove to hear:

"Treat 'em mean and keep 'em keen!!!!"

Is that what works for you?

But you don't really believe that . . . do you?

Nobody should suffer doing meaningless or soul-destroying work . . .

. . . but the LW is claiming to be a skilled IT professional, which, the last time I checked, is an increasingly important role in any organization.

At my office, if the network is down, that means our clients (the public) may not be able to get the information or assistance they need exactly when they need it, which very often means RIGHT NOW.

You may think that most mornings nothing happens at 8:30, but I have had people on the phone earlier than that DESPERATELY needing certain information about Child Protection or some other truly life-or-death issue.

This kind of caller definitely CANNOT afford to wait around for critical technical staff to saunter in and futz around until 9:30 or whenever it is that they might feel ready to do something that suits their personal sense of meaningfulness.

Perhaps the LW is not fully aware that, for better or for worse, the world has come to rely on computers and networks for all critical business tasks.

It's one thing to not to want to conform to petty authoritarian observances; it's quite another to refuse to accept the responsibilities that are attached to the work role you are paid—handsomely—to perform.

You have to decide for yourself if you are an amateur or a professional. Professionals show up when people need them to.