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Initiated and supported by billionaire Jack Ma (the founder of Alibaba), the 996 work culture is gradually spreading to private companies, startups in China, garnering both agreement and opposition from workers.
What is the 996 work culture? Understanding China's 996 work schedule.
1. What is the 996 work culture?
2. Why was the 996 work schedule introduced and still persists?
3. Opinions, perspectives on the 996 work schedule among the younger generation.
1. What is the 996 work culture?
Working 996 is the term used in China to denote a work schedule from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.
Billionaire Jack Ma is among many high-level executives in Chinese technology companies, private companies who advocate the 996 work culture. According to him, the 996 work schedule is a 'great opportunity' for workers to work, learn, and self-develop.
However, compared to the regulation on maximum working hours per week for employees (40 hours/week), many believe that working 996 (72 hours) is a method used by companies to exploit the labor force of workers. In many cases, Chinese workers are fired or even die due to the pressure of working under this schedule.
2. Why did the 996 work schedule come into existence and continue to exist?
The 996 work culture emerged as an inevitable consequence of the internet development process in China. Theoretically, this work schedule seriously violates Chinese laws but is still widely adopted by many companies as a necessity. This is explained by several reasons such as:
- The growth rate of Chinese companies is slowing down. To ensure business profits, Chinese companies need to cut staff in departments. This means that remaining employees will have to take on more tasks than usual.
- In young startup companies, many young workers choose to work 996 as a way to demonstrate ambition, dedication, and passion for their careers. Leaders also see this as a way to accelerate the success process.
- The Covid pandemic has led to the bankruptcy of many companies, prompting many workers to accept working 12 hours a day under the 996 schedule to maintain a job to support themselves and their families.
What does working 996 mean? Understanding perspectives on the 996 work schedule in China
Related to the work environment, individuals are often asked about their desired work environment during job interviews. If unsure how to answer this question, readers can refer to the article how to answer what kind of work environment you prefer to provide an accurate answer and win the favor of employers.
3. Opinions, perspectives on the 996 work schedule among the youth
Alongside supportive viewpoints, there are also numerous objections to this rigorous work schedule. Many movements such as 'returning to the countryside', 'lying straight' are used by Chinese youth to express their dissatisfaction.
The Beijing government recently expressed its views on the drawbacks of the 996 work model, considering it a violation of the overtime limit regulations of the country. Companies requiring employees to work excessive overtime under the 996 schedule will also be monitored and penalized by the authorities.
The 996 work culture and many other terms like Toxic, Trap, SOS.... have emerged. Let's explore the meanings of these terms to understand the issues being discussed when using them.
- Learn more: What does Toxic mean
