996

996 is a shorthand for a work schedule in which employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. It has been associated mainly with the Chinese technology and internet sectors, where some firms have publicly or internally adopted extended hours to boost output and meet tight product deadlines. The term became widely discussed in the 2010s and gained particular notoriety after internet users documented and debated such practices online.

In 2019, a GitHub repository titled 996.ICU drew international attention to the practice, collecting posts and arguments about burnout, health risks, and worker rights. The phrase 996 became a rallying point for workers' rights advocates, with supporters arguing that long hours reflect poor labor standards and misaligned incentives, while defenders contended that overtime can be legal if properly compensated and voluntarily accepted.

Legal framework: China's labor law prescribes 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week, and overtime pay at specified rates. Overtime beyond statutory limits or without proper compensation can be unlawful. In practice, questions of legality often hinge on formal contracts, consent to overtime, and whether rest days are provided. The enforceability of 996-like arrangements varies, and some cases have drawn legal scrutiny and public debate.

Impact and reception: The 996 culture is associated with concerns about worker health, burnout, and work-life balance; proponents argue it can increase competitiveness and productivity in high-demand sectors. In response, observers, researchers, and policymakers have called for stronger enforcement of labor laws, clearer overtime rules, and protections for workers, though official policy statements have emphasized lawful employment practices rather than endorsing extended hours.