What is '996' in China's work culture?
Asked by: Melisa Gorczany | Last update: February 14, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (11 votes)
The 996 working hour system (Chinese: 996工作制) is a work schedule that derives its name from its requirement that workers clock in from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week, resulting in employees working 12 hours per day and 72 hours per week. It is practiced illegally by some companies in China.
What is China's 996 work culture?
Many Chinese employees are expected to work a 72-hour week under the country's gruelling “996” culture: 9am to 9pm, six days a week. The work style has been endorsed by some of China's most successful entrepreneurs, including Alibaba's founder, Jack Ma.
Is 996 common in the USA?
It's becoming common. It's not just a Twitter/X phenomenon. Here's what every B2b founder needs to know about this seismic shift in Silicon Valley's work expectations. For months, we've been talking about 996 on X anbd social media—the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six-days-a-week schedule that originated in China's tech scene.
Is China still doing 996?
For years, the 996 work culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) was worn like a badge of honor in China's tech and manufacturing sectors. But 2025 is different. Beijing has had enough. In a very public campaign, regulators are now enforcing long ignored limits: a 44 hour workweek with capped overtime.
Is 996 standard in China?
No, 996 technically violates China's labor laws, which cap the legal workweek at 44 hours. However, enforcement has been lax, especially in fast-growing tech firms.
The Extreme 996 Work Culture in China
What are the three forbidden ts in China?
The Three Ts in the context of the People's Republic of China are Taiwan, Tibet, and the Tiananmen protests and massacre of 1989.
Are people actually working 996?
A new all-consuming work culture is the latest craze among Silicon Valley tech companies. It's called 996, working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. And it seems like a big shift from just a few years ago when pingpong tables, nap rooms and other perks were the trademarks of a job in tech.
Do Chinese people work 7 days a week?
Rest Days and Public Holidays. Under the nation's labor regulations, employees in China are guaranteed at least one rest day per week, usually on Sunday. In addition to weekly rest days, China recognizes several public holidays, during which workers are entitled to take time off work.
Is it true that 90% of people in China own their own homes?
As of 2023, China has one of the highest home ownership rates in the world, with 90% of urban households owning their homes.
Is 996 culture ethical?
A number of Mainland Chinese internet and tech companies have adopted this system as their official or de facto work schedule. Critics argue that the 996 working hour system is a violation of the Labour Law of the People's Republic of China and have called it "modern slavery".
How long is a working day in China?
Under China's Labor Law and the Labor Contract Law, the legal cap on working hours is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Work beyond this limit is considered overtime and is subject to specific regulations. Daily and Weekly Caps: The standard is 8 hours/day and 40 hours/week.
Is a 12-hour work day too long?
One of the major concerns with working 12-hour shifts is the potential for fatigue and its associated health risks. Longer shifts, particularly night shifts, can take a toll on workers' physical and mental well-being.
Does 996 increase productivity?
But studies consistently show that a 996 work culture is terrible for long-term productivity. While 996 may lead to modest productivity gains in the short term, it eventually leads to increased worker stress and decreased well-being that can tank productivity.
What is the 3-hour rule in China?
China has implemented a law to restrict gaming time for minors to 3 hours a week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between 8 and 9pm. China instructed gaming companies to prevent children playing outside these times, and the government will be tracking how well game companies are enforcing this.
Which companies use 996 culture?
The 996 concept was first popularized in China in the 2010s, as tech firms like Alibaba, Huawei, and ByteDance rose to prominence in part by pressuring workers to adopt intense routines meant to drive rapid growth.
Is it cheaper to live in China or the USA?
These estimates suggest that living in China is notably less expensive than in the United States. When considering housing, rent in China is substantially lower than in the US, by an average of 71.9%.
Why is homelessness so low in China?
A society where problems are hidden rather than solved can appear “orderly,” but that order is often achieved through coercion and silence, not care and dignity. Homelessness exists, but it is made largely invisible through a mix of short-term containment, forced removal, and strict control over reporting.
How much is 1 gallon of milk in China?
A gallon of milk in China costs $6.77, which is well above the U.S. average of $4.
Is $100 USD a lot in China?
It really depends on what you're going to do with that $100. If you're living a western style of life with food, $100 US in the cities would be like $120 US maybe? It'll stretch out a little. But if you're eating like the locals, buying groceries and the like, this can be a small fortune.
Which country has 4 working days a week?
Iceland is one of the countries most in support of the 4 day work week.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for working?
The 3-3-3 Method is as follows: Spend 3 hours on your most important thing. Complete 3 shorter tasks you've been avoiding. Work on 3 maintenance activities to keep life in order.
Why are Chinese hard working?
For thousands of years, Chinese life revolved around the soil. Agriculture was not just a livelihood—it was a constant gamble with nature. A single drought, a sudden flood, and an entire village could starve. In such fragile terrain, hard work wasn't optional—it was essential.
Is 996 coming to the US?
Some U.S. tech firms and AI startups are beginning to hire for 996 roles. That means working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, a schedule that comes from China's startup culture. This kind of work pace was once seen as extreme, even controversial.