The End of '996': How China's Workforce is Reshaping Work-Life Balance

China’s government is cracking down on the illegal ‘996’ work culture, which demands 72-hour workweeks. Companies like Midea and DJI now enforce shorter workdays, reflecting a shift against exploitative practices. High costs of living, health issues, and protests through anti-hustle movements like ‘Tang Ping’ have fueled resistance among younger workers. Despite global promotion of long hours by leaders like Elon Musk, younger generations are prioritizing work-life balance. This cultural shift signals a move towards healthier, more sustainable workplace norms worldwide.

The debate over grueling work schedules has resurfaced, this time in China, where the government is taking a strong stance against the notorious ‘996’ work culture. Once a hallmark of success in the country’s tech and manufacturing sectors, the practice has been officially declared illegal by the Supreme People’s Court. Companies across China are now adjusting their policies, signaling a potential shift in workplace dynamics.

A Quiet Revolution in Chinese Work Culture

Several prominent Chinese companies have begun encouraging shorter workdays. Midea, a leading home appliance manufacturer, now sends its employees home by 6:20 pm. Similarly, DJI, a major drone company, has decided to clear out its offices by 9 pm, a stark contrast to its previous late-night operations. These changes reflect a subtle but state-backed effort to dismantle the long hours that have defined white-collar life in China’s tech industry.

What is ‘996,’ and Why is it Controversial?

The ‘996’ work culture refers to a grueling schedule where employees work from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week—totaling 72 hours per week. This far exceeds the 40-hour weekly limit outlined in China’s Labor Law, which permits only 36 hours of overtime per month. Despite its illegality, the practice was normalized in the tech sector, with industry leaders like Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, famously defending it as a “blessing” for ambitious workers.

At its peak, the allure of working at prestigious firms like Alibaba and Tencent encouraged many employees to accept long hours in exchange for career opportunities, even if it came at the expense of personal time and well-being.

A Growing Backlash

Over time, young professionals began to question the sustainability of this culture. Platforms like GitHub became hubs for criticism, with workers openly labeling the system exploitative. Phrases like “007,” referencing working 24/7, emerged as a form of protest. Many joined anti-hustle movements like ‘Tang Ping’ (lie flat) and ‘Bai Lan’ (let it rot), prioritizing low-stress lifestyles over relentless ambition.

A critical driving factor behind this rebellion is China’s skyrocketing cost of living. Long hours have not translated into economic security for many workers, who struggle to afford housing, marriage, and other milestones. This financial strain has led a growing number of young workers to reject the old trade-off of money for relentless toil.

Health Risks and Tragic Consequences

The toll of overwork has extended beyond dissatisfaction to alarming health risks. Reports of young professionals collapsing or dying from chronic exhaustion have sparked widespread concern. While companies often deny direct connections between these incidents and their work environments, the pattern has amplified calls for change.

Such tragedies are not unique to China. In India, for example, the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young accountant at Ernst & Young, highlighted the dangers of glorifying overwork. Her family criticized the lack of employee support and the toxic culture that prioritizes productivity over well-being.

Legal Framework and Loopholes

China’s Labor Law explicitly limits daily working hours to 8 and weekly hours to 40. However, enforcement has been inconsistent. Many companies circumvent the rules by introducing “big week/small week” rotations or rebranding long hours under flexible schedules approved by local authorities. This patchwork compliance undermines the government’s efforts to combat exploitative practices.

A Global Debate on Hustle Culture

The discussion around excessive work hours is not confined to China. Globally, tech leaders have often championed long hours as a pathway to success. Elon Musk, for instance, once suggested that working 80 to 100 hours a week improves the odds of achieving greatness. In India, similar sentiments were echoed when Infosys founder Narayana Murthy advocated for a 70-hour workweek to boost national productivity.

Yet, these views are increasingly at odds with the priorities of younger generations. Across the globe, there is a growing pushback against hustle culture, with workers demanding better work-life balance and questioning the necessity of sacrificing personal time for professional success.

A Cultural Shift

China’s recent crackdown on 996 represents a significant acknowledgment of the issue. While deeply ingrained cultural and economic forces may make it difficult to completely eradicate the practice, the growing awareness among younger workers is a step in the right direction. In India, too, a similar shift is emerging as professionals begin to prioritize mental health and personal well-being over endless ambition.

The dismantling of hustle culture may not happen overnight, but the collective resistance from workers and the changing stance of governments suggest that a more balanced approach to work could be on the horizon. For now, the debate continues, but one thing is clear: the younger generation is leading the charge for a healthier, more sustainable future in the workplace.