As China turns away from toxic ’996’ work culture, the West starts to embrace it
Earlier this year, Chinese social media was flooded with posts about a surprising trend: employees being told to leave work on time. Workers at major firms shared that they were ordered to finish by early evening, a clear shift from China’s long-standing “996” work culture, which means working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.
The 996 schedule, once celebrated by tech icons such as Alibaba’s Jack Ma as key to success, has increasingly come under fire. Critics have labelled it a form of labour exploitation, pointing to exhaustion, declining health, and even deaths linked to overwork.
In 2021, China’s government officially outlawed 996 after several high-profile cases of worker deaths, including one involving a young employee from e-commerce giant Pinduoduo. Major tech companies such as ByteDance and Tencent followed with promises to curb overtime.
Still, long hours remain widespread. Weak enforcement of labour laws, low wages, and cultural pressure to perform continue to drive overwork. In cities like Shenzhen, the legal minimum wage is far below the average cost of living, forcing some workers to rely on overtime to make ends meet.
China’s overall productivity remains lower than that of developed economies, leading some firms to rely on longer hours to boost output quickly.
To address growing discontent, the government has launched public campaigns against excessive work. A popular TV show, “Overtime No More,” featured celebrities and workers discussing how to balance career demands and personal life.
Some analysts believe these efforts are also linked to international pressure. The European Union recently passed a regulation banning products made with forced labour, which includes “excessive overtime” as a key indicator. Aligning with such standards could help China protect its export markets and improve its global image.
However, others argue that China’s crackdown has more to do with domestic concerns, including social stability and a changing workforce. Younger employees, disillusioned with the promise of hard work leading to success, are increasingly rejecting 996 culture in favour of more balanced lives — a movement known locally as tang ping, or “lying flat.”
Despite the government’s push, many companies still find ways around the rules, and long hours remain deeply rooted in China’s corporate life. The change, experts say, will take time and stronger enforcement.
Ironically, while China moves to restrain its punishing work culture, the 996 mindset is spreading abroad. In the United States, some tech startups now encourage 70-hour work weeks, framing them as a path to rapid innovation and success.
Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley have begun to praise the discipline and intensity of China’s once-criticised system, arguing that it fuels ambition and competitiveness. Some even advertise long hours as part of their company identity.
As China tries to create a healthier balance between work and life, the rest of the world seems eager to adopt the very culture it is now trying to leave behind.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
