Kevin O'Leary Says He Avoids Hiring Workers Seeking Strict 9-5 Schedules

M. or attend events such as soccer games during standard business hours. "People that shut down their laptop at 5, want that balance in life, wanna go to the soccer game, 9 to 5 only — they don't work for me," O'Leary told CNBC in 2022. " O'Leary added that he seeks employees willing to address problems beyond their formal job descriptions.

O'Leary said he looks for people prepared to "work 25 hours a day, eight days a week," describing the statement as an exaggeration meant to emphasize intensity and accountability. He stated that workers who go beyond basic expectations to solve issues for their teams and managers are the ones who succeed.

Some workers prefer defined schedules and flexibility over extended hours. A 2025 Zenger Folkman study of more than 18,000 employees found that discretionary effort beyond basic job requirements correlated with higher performance metrics.