The objective of this theoretical-empirical article is to indicate elements that enable the symbolic control of time in Higher Education Institutions to be demonstrated and compared, from the perspective of teachers of courses of business administration in Belo Horizonte (MG), in order to understand the causes and consequences of this phenomenon on the individuals involved. Based on the understanding that discussion of time as an organizational symbol is little addressed in organizational studies, a theoretical review was carried out, in an attempt to elucidate discussions about the object of study. The methodological procedures used were a comparative case study with interviews and observation, followed by content analysis. In the conclusion, questions are presented involving power, identity, ideological domination and organizational control.