The Extreme 996 Work Culture in China

"996" is a common term used by employees at China’s tech companies to describe their working life- starting work at 9am and leaving at 9pm, working six days a week. VICE World News looks at China’s hyper-competitive work culture and the costs to their personal and social lives.
*VICE Motion Graphics Artist - Kushagrah Kalia
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[@Steph-yz4tn]

I had a boss tell me once, "Your job is to pay for the type of lifestyle you want to live. It should never consume your life. Your family, friends, and well-being are what's important in life." I still live by those words.

[@curlyfrys5279]

thats beautiful

[@kokolatte825]

It's true. It's just that the concept of work-life balance becomes more of a fairy-tale because affording a decent lifestyle by the materialistic standards that are constantly marketed to us become harder and harder to obtain. America's minimum wage is $7.25. I don't know anyone who can make an honest living making $7.25 for 40 hours a week without some form of assistance.

[@Churlz]

Agreed

[@thelazy0ne]

You just wait until you figure out that you can make others pay for that 😏 All hail Capitalism 😏 perfectly balanced like all things should be. 😁👌

[@chrome2yourdome]

Smart

[@Auroron]

"The dark side of 996", Bro all the sides of this are dark

[@kihbjcjdjd7022]

Funniest yet sad comment

[@user-vq6ik4kk1r]

Right what other sides are there 💀

[@zefanyalt5944]

@@user-vq6ik4kk1r abyss 💀

[@AmanSingh-yz3bi]

Dark

[@davidjstreader]

Unless you're making mad coin. Like you could do it for a while if the money was rolling in

[@feliciacote-floyd232]

I've worked in China for almost 5 years and the working hours (mainly for Chinese citizens) is completely insane. People are not efficient nor productive due to exhaustion and mental fatigue. Meetings always last multiple hours and rarely anything gets resolved. The lack of productivity is actually astonishing. For example, people were shocked when I finished a simple task within 1 hour, rather than taking 2-4 hours to complete it. These are results of 996 working mentality, people are just stretching out their tasks as much as possible. I've seen some companies in China slowly adopting 4 days work week or 4.5 days work week, really hoping it continues in that direction, because the younger generation at the moment will never accept 996.

[@juanok2775]

just like in Japan

[@doppelminds1040]

I was so productive during lockdown, finished my work in a fraction of the 8 hour day. Then when we got back to the office, i was done with my tasks in like 4 hours, then i had to sit another 4 hours pretending i was busy, it's stupid... we need to rethink the way work eats our lifetime away

[@feliciacote-floyd232]

@@doppelminds1040lol this is sooo accurate 😂 Same!

[@qinyima5693]

​@@juanok2775Japan gets better working style nowadays, they don't promote doing extra works anymore

[@elmaddin_guliyev]

even Chinese companies in the US hold a Chinese work culture. When you complain, their reply is, yeah work culture. Ok, that means tomorrow some Arabic company is going to force employees to wear niqab and follow Sharia law. I am sad companies from abroad bring their cultures instead of following local rules

[@Kidkromechan]

I was working like a 996 in the UK as a programmer but it was with some overtime pay or an extra day off in lieu as a reward. I did that for 6 months I think and that made me terrified of mental stress. I didn't know what is burnout until it hit me and the anxiety of bugs before I went to sleep made it very hard to sleep. You dream of work. Even though I was getting extra pay or an extra day off in lieu, it didn't make me any happier. Especially if you work from home. You wake up, wash your face, have breakfast and sit down for work, and work until it's time to sleep, repeat. Then on your day off, since you are so used to working from home, you don't even get to relax at home because now that is your office. So, you force yourself to go out but then all your friends are busy so you go out alone and try to see the good in life. It's not a healthy way of living at all.

[@6ix6in6er6]

:(

[@cherylT321]

Are you working a different job, now?

[@neutrspec]

In my opinion, what you described is more like the nature of coding than that of your job. I just can’t stop working until the debugging is done, though I am merely a part-time programming learner.

[@PeteNice29]

I told people this years ago. I think people assume working from home is a panacea, presumably because they feel they can slack or something. Truth is, you never leave your workplace, and that lack of a psychological break is not easy for many to handle. I work from home now because the family needs my flexibility (and I'm the boss), but I think if I were single I'd have to return to a place around other humans.

[@swift_learn]

If you were working 996 in the UK the company you were working for was breaking the law.

[@jenniferlopez6707]

“I’m losing my soul and becoming very numb.” If that doesn’t sound alarming then I don’t know what does

[@itshafix1272]

That's like a linking park song

[@antiracistbaby1085]

This is not for lazy Western cucks. This is Asia, people don't believe in handouts

[@user-ox3ss3he9c]

imagine having a soul smh

[@Killzoneinbound]

@@antiracistbaby1085 you’re using a western woman as your pfp you weirdo..

[@antiracistbaby1085]

@@Killzoneinbound Brazilians are not western

[@hantor7741]

This level of work ethic makes sense for an entrepreneur serving to grow a business. Not for employees getting paid hourly.

[@thechosenone1533]

They don't even get paid hourly,they get fixed wages and are forced to work more hours than they're paid for.

[@MisstressMourtisha]

That's not "work ethic", that's corporate propaganda that benefits from desensitized slavery.

[@M1st3rm1g00]

Capitalists are fucking delusional

[@tiagodagostini]

Yup that is true, but usually the entrepeneours understand that. The ones that usually do not understand are middle management.

[@tratbagd4500]

@@thechosenone1533 Exactly

[@chuckdontjudge]

I had a job in the government that nearly killed me. Til this day, I feel like taking that job was the worst decision I have ever made, and trust me that's saying A LOT. I was working with my aunt and so I could NEVER escape work, she would follow me around the office bugging me about whatever bs, then she would call me once I got home continuing to pester me. I wanted to quit working after HUST ONE WEEK!!!! I would cry everyday day omw to work and home, I would go 5 and 6 days without sleeping, I would hallucinate, I blacked out while driving Because I hadn't slept and nearly caused a car accident and when I came to I had no fucking idea where I even was. I couldn't eat I couldn't think, I was the dumbest person in the office and I was certainly always made to feel that way. I had no one to talk to, not friends not family, no one. My family didn't take me serious because they didn't think a job could destroy you the way it did me. it was "JUST A JOB" after all.I had 3, THREE NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS!!!! I absolutely understand what she meant when she said it was invisible torture. I was eventually fired, that job took everything from me. This job ended in 2013 and I'm still suffering with PTSD. A job can absolutely kill you, if the stress doesn't kill you, you'll just end up killing yourself. My heart goes out to ANYONE and EVERYONE who has or is stuck in situations like this. Please know your pain and suffering is valid. You matter, your mental health matters, Please if you can, start trying to find a way to get out. It's not worth it, the money isn't worth it, I know it's easy to say "just quit" but You can't work a job if you're dead, you can't keep a job if you can't think. It's not worth it. My love and prayers go out to anyone who is or was stuck in this situation❤❤❤😢

[@zudopowa]

What an awful experience. I hope you find your health and self-esteem restored soon.

[@clich126]

Brutal

[@BMWS1000RRR]

are you ok now

[@pumpkin0096]

Definitely understand ming. Tried working at couple popular call centers in my country and I just could not do it, i cried everyday, id loose my incentives if I was even 1 min over my pee break and the calls were none stop. Felt so weak that I couldn't handle it when some people were there for over 10 years. Still not over it, feel defeated.

[@michemicalromance]

callcenters are the worst, dont beat yourself up for not handling inhumane pressure and remember that maybe some people have advantages over others because of a supervisor/superior that favors them. or maybe they really really REALLY like speaking and tricking clients into buying stuff/make deals that are actually very bad for the client long-term wise

[@EpicCrust]

Don’t feel defeated, you have standards

[@dreamingdeso]

I was in a similar situation. Took many months to recover. Hope you’ve seen improvement.

[@vishnuvs1449]

The worst thing is that there are many who glorify this practice. Somehow we've gotten to a point where not having sleep, food or any semblance of a social life equates to hard work.

[@charlesbanian9495]

This is what the rich want, more labor for less, your to tired to see what's happening...

[@Pippa87]

*cough* hussle culture *cough, cough*

[@deborahbyom929]

Modern slavery,work till you drop dead means no sick leave,no holiday,and no pension,companies dream workforce.

[@vladimirseven777]

Fortunately or not body and brain can't work like that. Exhausted people are the source of errors, then you need even more work to fix it.

[@eraserhead8548]

I’m sure it has nothing to do with all that crap entrepreneurs and motivational speakers put out about how you’re not successful because you like sleep more than you like success

[@watchdealer11]

996 isn't even effective. Productivity dramatically decreases once fatigue overtakes the body. A better balance would actually result in more work being done.

[@icecoldchilipreppers6496]

On a factory floor perhaps where efficiency greatly effects productivity. Not so for a receptionist for instance, they can answer the phn and take a message just as well on hour 11. Maybe a mistake here and there. Same with managers, sale people, people in marketing and financials. The slight drop in productivity is far less than the cost of training and employing a second worker. However, on a factory floor or construction or something like that, then yes, once they are tired their productivity will dramatically decrese.

[@fritsrits7591]

You do not understand.. humans are replaceable. If productivity decreases, you just pick another human with high productivity. There are no human rights. That’s the problem.

[@Sean-kg2gr]

@@icecoldchilipreppers6496 you think people in office jobs don’t get fatigued? Gtfoh , that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. You’re full of shit.

[@neilfosteronly]

They take 2.5 hour to 3 hour lunches to nap. People are paid monthly also, once a month. Pay isn't by hour for most in China.

[@ididntalwaysworkinspace9558]

@@icecoldchilipreppers6496 They are talking about knowledge workers. Mental fatigue is real. I have worked as a laborer and a tech worker. Tech is much more draining.

[@TonyK.]

It’s sad that I’m watching this video while here in Germany people discussing about four days working week (32h/week) with the same payment. We are living in the same world but the treatment can be so differently, knowing this makes me feel sad.

[@Brian-nu9rp]

You’re kind❤

[@fionnmaccuill415]

It’s sort of their own fault. They are all doing it. I worked with Chinese and Japanese people and they used sleep in work. They weren’t any more productive than us. If they all said no then it would stop.

[@sethael1741]

Why are you sad? Be happy you're not an chinese guy and live a life like a drone. Im glad i live in Europe.

[@MrVisde]

Occasionally I’d travel to Korea for work. My colleagues in Korea would take us out to a nice dinner, we’d all have drinks, get buzzed, and when i was ready to call it a night and get some sleep back at the hotel…they all went back to the office to work some more 😮 Crazy work culture.

[@famousamos]

South Korea used to be like this but they recently implemented many rules to prevent overworking. As a result, they're seeing happier employees, better fertility rates, etc.

[@zakaryloreto6526]

Good to hear but doesn't south Korea still have the lowest birth rates in the world?

[@xcqematic1]

Where did you pull that lie from? South Korea currently has the lowest fertility rate in history (0.83 in 2020 and 0.8 in 2021 vs 1.2 in 2010). Sure you get anonymity on the internet but dont make shit up dude.

[@TylerSolvestri]

SK will be gone by 2070.

[@rac4687]

@@zakaryloreto6526 that could be why they are doing it....on flip side i don't think china has this problem

[@shermanfirefly5410]

@@rac4687 They have, if you look at the new data, their birth rate have dropped to a level almost near the birth rate of Japan It's just that they have a higher population so that the situation doesn't seem too bad in the short run.

[@MeatBallBoy23]

My stomach turned at the end when she's describing how numb she feels. She sounded like someone willing to take their own life just to escape her life. I hope she can find happiness.

[@KingEst87]

Yeah that Numb comment got to me also

[@vovan2_147]

I did this 3 year ago. 12 hour for 6 month no rest days. Then i resigned from it. But look back all my co-worker in the company still working like that for more than 2 years. They have friends group. I cannot handle it so numb. Feel like in heel

[@hakayma7560]

that's why we have a lot of emo's in western culture

[@rafaellima381]

This video is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STUPID they take a few exceptions and make it as it was rule and idiots without critic power just agree and believe everything is true... PEOPLE WITH INTERNET HAVE NO BRAIN the video is sooooooooo stupid that at 7:31 THE WOMAN IS CLEARLY SPEAKING ENGLISH, but they remove her natural voice, then dubbed in chinese and then subtitle it in english... THE WHOLE VIDEO IS NARRATED IN ENGLISH SO WHY REMOVE THE INTERVIEWED THAT WAS SPEAKING ENGLISH? MISTAKE? no they want to manipulate the speech... dont be idiot STOP BEING BRAINLESS, START PAYING ATTENTION TO THE THINGS MEDIA SHOW YOU, MEDIA HASN'T THE POWER OF TRUTH ONLY THE POWER TO MANIPULATE IDIOTS. DONT BE AN IDIOT

[@beatrizmirandamezzo]

@@rafaellima381 lol, can you even lip read? She’s clearly speaking in Mandarin. Also, if you want to present an alternative argument, then wrote down your sources. Where are the links again that discredit Vice’s work? Vice does their research very thoroughly. Stop being a troll online

[@kaustavroy6542]

I feel for them man. I was feeling anxious in my current company due to work presure but after seeing this I feel like I am privileged. Hope this changes very soon.😓

[@g4m3rguy86]

Fantastic journalism. Thank you!

[@ilovedogs2642]

"I'm always tired after work, I just swipe through social media. I don't even know what I'm looking at" This hit me hard

[@tence_6965]

That's why i deleted all social media

[@youtubedeletedmynamewhybother]

@@tence_6965 That doesnt solve the larger root issue, that you dont even have a chance to be alive because your existence is to work and sleep.

[@youtubedeletedmynamewhybother]

@John Wick Absolutely, People back then would have worked presumably less hours but achieved more tangible and real "rewards" out of it. Such as building your house, or hunting for dinner etc. Actually meaningful stuff. Todays society you're expected to work yourself to sleep, wake up and proceed with working. Most likely in a job that means Nothing to you and actively harms the environment. Then people want to wonder why drug abuse and suicide is perpetually on the rise and todays generation don't have Anything to look forward to in their entire lives. Its fucking fucked.... To put it lightly.

[@TheIsaacLee]

Same here. That was me at one point.

[@ilovedogs2642]

@@youtubedeletedmynamewhybother damn, I knew all of this but when you really think about it... How depressing

[@jonathanking456]

Working like this does not increase productivity. It actually decreases it. Better to have happy workers with good work/life balance. It increases loyalty and productivity. It never ceases to amaze me when companies don’t realize, that if you treat your employees well and with respect you will go much further.

[@camelopardalis84]

I *once* worked 70 hours in a week, and this was in a group home where much of the time the children and teens weren't present. My brain was pretty mushy by the end of it. Concentrating for 12 hours a day, even if you have breaks, six days a week as a norm? If you make your employees work like that, you get mush brain results.

[@zbigniewvolkov7952]

For sure, because you know better than all of these companies and their data. :-D

[@jragon9215]

In my opinion I think they are ok with working non stop and nothing else based on the culture

[@uthoshantm]

Totally agree

[@gilberttan7244]

agree, if you got a task on wednesday, but you work 6 days a week then you may want to delay it so you will have some work until saturday. but if work at shorter time period then the task will be done few days earlier thus making you more productive.

[@Zookeeper501]

Thanks for the vid.

[@somerandomguy000]

14:29 “As human beings, our dignity and liberty is more important”

[@andywilliam1990]

Just left mine. 90k a year. They started “forced overtime”. I’m out. I’d rather make less but watch my daughter grow up and be present to love on my wife.

[@kindaapoptart19]

Can’t miss the little things. Good for you and yours.

[@sxerosie]

Good for you, hope you enjoy your time with family!

[@BeamCity]

Salute to you, God bless

[@stachowi]

takes courage to make that choice (i did) and it's hard but worth it.

[@923stanley]

good for you man because once those times pass, no money can buy it back.

[@CMF4L]

As an office worker, I realized that my peak productivity is 6 hours a day - 7 on a good day. We're able to achieve more in 30 to 35 hours a week than in 40+. When I worked 50+ hours, my work was poor quality and had to be redone. Upper management thinks you can have 9 women make a baby in 1 month. 996 is a reflection of poor upper management.

[@jeanlucdiscard2382]

It isn't normal for a healthy adult to only be able to work 6-7 hours a day. Are you overweight? Can you grab handfuls of fat around your waist? If so, that's your problem.

[@trevorz459]

@@jeanlucdiscard2382 able to and productivity is apples and oranges

[@eizhowa]

@@jeanlucdiscard2382 I work as a lawyer, and I get the same amount of billable work done working 30 hours a week and a full 40 hour week. I worked 40 hours before covid and now nearer to 30 hours from home. Same amount of billable hours in 2020 as in 2019. It has nothing to do with not being able to work, but I - and many others - are more productive if the work sessions are shorter and more focused.

[@Jay-cq5qr]

I like that everyone is calling out @Jean Discard for being a smooth brain.

[@brenthorn7109]

Yes. Communists. Poor upper management.

[@misterlove6225]

In my country, the trucking industry was just like that. If you didn't accept the illegal wages and bad work practices, bosses would say "if I trow the keys in the air, there are 100 other drivers waiting to catch them". 15-20 years later, compnay owners look at how pretty their trucks are sitting in the garages because they have no drivers. But instead of creating decent working conditions, they blame the drivers for not wanting to work.

[@ogueyratogeyrat7448]

u just slave for them , they wont pay u if they can

[@dark12ain]

Wow this really reminds me of my type of work as a caregiver, it's stressful work, dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. I often time work double shifts 4 or 5 days out of the week so that my check can be something I can work with. The work is grueling and the turnover rate is high. 16 hr shifts are no joke after a while. Then sometimes after that I still can't sleep for reasons I don't understand sometimes my body is just on go mode. All though we are countries apart we share many similarities.

[@admiralackbar4652]

Imagine being a slave for more than a decade to get a degree just to be a slave again for the rest of your existence. What a life!

[@wendyedmondstone1861]

😂😂😂

[@ShmokeyMac710]

That's called Capitalism!

[@ShmokeyMac710]

And College

[@dorsebradford9844]

Every single adult life includes working for 20+ years

[@d.iv.in.e]

almost all humans to have ever existed worked their whole life; since the invention of agriculture.. nothing new

[@5pctLowBattery]

I’ve never heard a resume read at a funeral. It’s unlikely your boss will be at your bedside at the end of your life thanking you for working so hard and not taking vacations and not spending time with your family. At the risk of sounding dramatic; when we put the needs of a company before our personal lives, we put our personal lives at risk.

[@isabelparra8549]

Agree

[@Doctor-Stoppage]

100% agree with you. 99/6 isn't about hard work. Its about greed, war and death. They could care less about their citizens. They make it clear they are only a "human resource." And their vile ways are taking hold in the west right now.

[@Skoda130]

We're just working-cattle.

[@JohnnyYK]

@@Doctor-Stoppage it’s already in the west this has been going on to Americans

[@rohansingh2147]

@Hear Hrrh bro success seems nice but it’s worthless in the end what you should do is try to pray and connect with god and try to focus on being happy rather then money god bless you

[@Naomi-yc4fp]

This type of life style doesn’t just affect the worker, it affects their family too. As a daughter of a single family, I got sent to boarding school because my mom just doesn’t have the time to take care of me, but even when I’m back home during weekends, I only get to see her for a few hours from Saturday night till Sunday afternoon where she would send me to the school bus and I go back to school. Now that I’m an adult, I have realized I was completely neglected and traumatized as a child, but I don’t even really blame her cause could she have done. Because of the lack of family support in my childhood, I grew up being clinically depressed too. It’s honestly such an unsustainable way of working, because even now my mom is still constantly working, even when she is suppose to be resting or on a holiday, she is always answering work calls, replying to work messages

[@shina8767]

Blessing live in Malaysia only 6/8 hours work 😊

[@shaqyahya6503]

It really annoys me when the new gen being labeled as ungrateful lazy people. Little do they know that the new gen is embracing life more than wealth.I ask couple of youngsters about it and they told me “what’s the point accumalate so much wealth and relying too much on it to enjoy life.” While I do agree money have their significant role in bettering life but if you choose wealth over life then there’s a possibility you will discard life without you know it.

[@nugrahaadipratama9067]

True wealth is intangible, it's immeasurable, it cannot be diminished and can only multiply when being shared. It's only bc people misunderstood the "cause" and the "effect" of wealth. The true wealth of so called really successful people is not in their companies, money, etc. It's in their spirit.

[@shaqyahya6503]

@Brian Mcclung it’s easy to jump into conclusion based on biased perspective. Like I said before, I acknowledged the role of money for a better cause but it doesn’t mean that money itself become our main goal to attain happiness. I lived in the society that value money more than life. I’ve seen lots of my colleagues send their parents to old folks home because for them their own parents are dead weight since they have been groom and taught to only make decision with the interest of money. Try to understand my whole point and stop twisting my statement just because it doesn’t align with your stand. Again, I totally agree the importance of fortune but dismissing the value of life itself?

[@universalsoldier811]

@Brian Mcclung "Child is the father of Man"

[@niklastjitra1323]

What does it matter if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul?

[@iqbalindaryono8984]

How do people get the luxury of having a job that gives enough time for personal needs and enough pay to afford everything needed to accomodate it? It feels like people like you are getting paid more than what you deserved or your bosses are charging insane fees to their client in order to afford the wage they're giving away.

[@ultraali453]

I had a friend in Japan who was sleeping 4 hours, had 2 hours free in a day, and basically the rest of his day was work-related activity which included a 4 hour daily commute. He was leaving depressed messages, it wasn't okay. Then I suggested to his that he work freelance like me. He was living in an expensive part of Japan, so he couldn't do that. However, he did find contract based work that paid for overtime and his mood got much better. He stopped posting depressed messages after that.

[@emmysorbicularis1185]

I mean, there are alternatives... looks like i live in paradise

[@okkami676]

You may have saved his life with your suggestion. Good work!

[@daveborden2572]

@@okkami676 Maybe Baby!

[@hawkeye171]

@@emmysorbicularis1185 where do u live and what do u do

[@Chxzz1]

bless

[@pifficus1]

For four years in my twenties I worked away from home, sleeping in one or two star motels working 5-6 days a week, +10 hour days. There was a period of time were I worked 20 days straight. I refuse to live my life like this. These years of my life are gone and I will never get them back.

[@randygeyer7673]

When the current wave of tech people came to San Francisco I saw them working in line waiting for the luxury bus to take them to work. Some said they would work on the bus and then work on the bus coming back. They also worked when they arrived home. Someone I met who worked at Adobe said on average a person lasted 3 years. When they left someone was waiting in line to take their place. During those 3 years you cannot keep up with advances in the industry so you likely would be out of work for an extended period (maybe years).

[@Landril]

As an employer i can't see how this would be beneficial outside of "appearances". I've found by being more lax about time off and reducing hours i get much better quality work out of my employees. When we gear up at certain times of the year everyone comes in often staying late without being asked or expected to. Take genuine care of your employees and they'll take care of you

[@silferbuu86]

This would be the case if it was just one or a small hand-full of companies. China, SK with new limitations, and Japan, all suffer from many companies that do this. Stretch out your investment and not your money. Take it to America, when I worked in politics for a month, all 90 employees worked 7am -10pm, 7 days a week for either average pay or none at all, due to volunteers. If your work culture is accepted, than there is an underlying problem.

[@fortuna19]

Wish more employers were like you!

[@elizabethkrivoshieva1610]

i SHARE THE EXACT SAME SENTIMENT in my company. Pay the team well, give them time for personal growth; passion and excellence is a standard in the work ethos.

[@mikef2811]

Long hours are not productive, after a certain hours, a person becomes inefficient, and a waste of money...

[@alivensyde5484]

ur business is trash thats why, we are talking bout big biz

[@onemoreguyonline7878]

You notice how the woman at the end said "lazy, incapable staff" like those exact words had been said to her multiple times in the past as a derogatory way to motivate harder work?

[@aminboumerdassi2334]

The funny thing is, laziness has produced many time-saving methods and inventions that allow workers to be more productive.

[@onemoreguyonline7878]

@@aminboumerdassi2334 I heard this at a Microsoft conference with a gentleman who graduated from a Michigan university. Unfortunately it seems we have moved away from this model, and gone straight to optimizing and min-maxing. I really miss working.

[@potaterjim]

Company bosses, who do little work of their own comparative to what they make, push this propaganda of the "sin of laziness": the idea that being dissatisfied with your job means you're a layabout, that taking mental health seriously is just being weak, that working harder is some noble, selfless goal, despite the fact that they rarely if ever _reward_ that self-determination, _and_ despite the clear, proven negative effects it has on people. Eventually, workers come to internalize this notion and start competing with each other, and using shame as a motivator on each other. Which, you know, benefits the bosses just fine. They convince their workers to work harder without having to compensate them, and they even do it to each other! Until the whole workforce is a neurotic mess that can't sit still, because they're constantly, subconsciously feeling unproductive, when we're _the most productive era in human history._ Just let that sink in for a second. People are genuinely feeling guilty about being unproductive at work, in the year that saw the beginning of *HOBBYIST SPACE TRAVEL.* We're not just talking "technically we make lots of food", we're talking about trillionaires, people who own individually own more wealth, technology, and power than _empires._ And none of that is because people like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk are just more creative and intelligent than anyone has ever been; it's 100% because of worker productivity. It's times like this we all have to remember a certain quote from a certain movie: _You are not your job._

[@fc7307]

If you also take into consideration the other things she and the other interviewees said, you will see that she has no choice. If you don't work long hours you will be seen as such and if the layoffs come you will be the first to get cut. If there are no layoffs your peers might get a salary increase (albeit not much) or promotions while you don't. Or your employers might decide to fire you and there are a lot of people who are more than happy to take your place. Even if she leaves for another job the work culture will be the same so in order to survive what choices does she have? Unless she gets lucky like the 2nd lady or opens her own business (which might be harder).

[@user-wr3vt8uq4s]

If they're incapable, how would adding more hours improve that? Of course, quality doesn't come into it. Yeah, our product is shitty, but you get so much of it!

[@user-gi6hf6fe2n]

I'm working in IT but I have a 9-18 Monday to Friday schedule and sometime I feel so Burnout from work and home events. I really feel for these people. The people of the world really need more PAUSES in their lives. It really got me how she was saying that she feels tired and doesn't have time for anything. There are days like this when I know that I should just sleep but I'm procrastinating and taking hours from the resting time just because I feel like I need to spend time with myself, or just because I don't want tomorrow to come yet. So many days already past, in which I haven't had a proper sleep schedule. For different reasons. I don't know if I'm going to ever had a stable sleeping schedule without waking up every morning feeling tired.

[@marks7566]

Really looking forward to the sequel, 12127.

[@NoSweatGardening]

this is heart-breaking, we only live once, all the money in the world means nothing if we're not happy, healthy, and have meaningful relationship with other people

[@adhipramanaoentoro2252]

But if they not work like that they cant afford for living. Thats not happy as well

[@TheJwwinter]

Most people need that money to survive the present, for when they retire and secure themselves in case they get sick, not for leisure.

[@recycled3654]

I think the real problem is, basic necessities to live are so high in cost that you have to do the hours to afford them. I've seen this everywhere, especially in boom towns. This is the direction capitalist driven society has headed, investment has drawbacks and it seems to fall all right on the actual workers.

[@dentatusdentatus1592]

@@adhipramanaoentoro2252 I don't know. I see this homeless guy who is always whistling and skipping down the street like he doesn't have a care in the world.

[@michaelra4220]

We don't think about money and work during last days on earth, well atleast us who have hearts...

[@captainsunbear5472]

Meh, the lady defending the pratice is a joke. I used to be one of those guys took, working 80 hours a week. Then boss decided to take the business in a different direction and laid off my entire department at the drop of a hat. Lol working hard for the company. What a joke.

[@eriol_h]

Absolutely right. What's the point working hard for someone who can throw you out anytime to cut costs

[@TrendyWhistle]

she is so broken its ridiculous. Living in singapore we see some people who are influenced in that direction too and they stop at nothing to make more money even though they hate their own lives, it's ridiculous how much they love money, they don't even spend a dime of it. It looks totally ridiculous and stupid from out here but what do we know, how much does it cost to live in china? All I know is that a lot of folks around me also think its incredibly expensive to live here and save a ton of money when the cost of living honestly isn't ridiculous, its very easy to get trapped in a rat race even if you don't need to be in it.

[@dannuman6510]

I used to work like that too, but I was hourly so it was great

[@elbt101]

Exactly!

[@stephenc2481]

If these educated people are having problems with work and life, people with little education are out of luck.

[@olliepopAMV]

what a well produced documentary

[@jv2ol]

I am a Chinese,I have many years 996 experience,and I hate this culture.This will make veryone in the wrong way,veryone need work harder than before.not only bad for personal’s healthy,but also will damage our future.

[@Baseballbruja]

I wish they priorities of mental health for the workers.my boss encourages mental health and resources

[@Zack13245]

Here in my country in Europe I work from 6:00-14:00 or from 14:00-22:00. I am more and more grateful for this kind of working hours while I watch Asian work culture.

[@margaesperanza]

this is not just China, its a normalized thing in Asia in general. The burnout and slave-driving of young professionals is so damn depressing, it almost drove me to suicide. You have a population of driven and smart professionals who are pushed to their limit. Eventually I got hired to work for a European-owned tech company and was in shock when I saw my many benefits and all the leaves I could take. My boss and co-workers encouraged me to take many holidays (something I could never do in my old job), I could explore hobbies, and have time to sleep soundly. I can never bring myself to work for a locally-owned company ever again.

[@tgatez3566]

Its the same everywhere.

[@amberstale2628]

I'm in Asia. I only heard of 996 now, where exactly are you?

[@derangeddroid4911]

@@amberstale2628 me too bruh

[@MHaffiezMNazri]

@@amberstale2628 maybe the term is new, but the culture has been in existence all across Asia and SE Asia for years. However, some in SE Asia do 996 without realising out of "not minding to work extra hours for the sake of the company" instead of this hard-line type of 996. But it's technically 996 cuz deep down, you know you're doing these extra hours to show you're worthy a keep for the company or else you're replaceable - which you always are no matter what, unless you own the company.

[@dem0z199]

Yeah you often hear the black companies of japan who exploit workers to their maximum.

[@cyzcyt]

"Sacrifice your childhood. Focus on school". They said "It'll be great for your career" They said "It will be fun" they said

[@ejjsdhgxjdhhdhsh2339]

Nobody said that mate

[@cyzcyt]

@@ejjsdhgxjdhhdhsh2339 clearly you don't have asian parents

[@someone-si4tr]

@@cyzcyt haha

[@OSTemli]

In India. Study hard in school,have fun in college. Study hard in college,have fun in university. Study hard in university, have fun after graduation. Study hard for job,have fun after being employed. After being employed 24×7 Be ready for Boss call😭

[@darkmaster6505]

Yeah, that's clearly what is happening to every children until now.

[@jwest9155]

Does anyone know of more channels that post documentaries like these? Looking to improve my Chinese by listening… Thanks!

[@MaryAnnSweetAngel]

i even feel like that Gaokao exam also is so stressful. It is terrible

[@workinghacksmoreworkinghac7334]

Eh.. it's stressful because you made it stressful. An exam can not hurt you. Cannot do harm to you. fuck that stupid exam then..try your hardest but fuck it

[@vivaene]

the craziest part to me is that even though she is working for over 12 hours a day, she's still living in what appears to be a small one bedroom apartment eating microwave noodles. this is so depressing

[@TheCameltotem]

Who needs an apartment and hobbies when you can work all day!?

[@rodneyferringer1701]

And with a college education..

[@amazingsupergirl7125]

Exactly. Big city rent is expensive and I bet she’s living month to month. She should get some crap job in the country, buy a little fixer upper house, and ride her bike to work. Maybe rent out a room. Either way, they’re both crap jobs but at least you get to have a personal life in the country. ❤️🤟🏻

[@Alan-wj5zc]

@@amazingsupergirl7125 It's china. Living space is nearly impossible to find with reasonable commute unless you want to live out in the boonies and make your 996 into a worse ratio.

[@Holly18th]

Right?? And her title is a tech executive??!?

[@Lukky_Luke]

Studies say that after a 52 hours work week the productivity falls off a cliff, even people working 70 hour weeks still only produce as if they would have worked 52 hours a week. People just starts working slower when the work week is long.

[@maywalker997]

When you are tired & unmotivated because you are overworked you also start making a lot of mistakes too.

[@diamonddogs6037]

I work 10 hour days from Monday to Thursday, friday and sat I work 12 hour days. Sunday is the only day off. But I'm only scheduled to work 4 days a week but I chose to work the extra days, sometimes 7 days a week😁

[@ry9756]

It’s just modern slavery, the lower our purchasing power gets, the more people will be forced to slave away all day for big corporations

[@talithasuya8908]

@@diamonddogs6037 Do you enjoy it? Or are you trying to save up money or get a promotion. Do you feel tired? I know some people don't need much sleep. My brother has like three jobs just because he likes working.

[@diamonddogs6037]

@@talithasuya8908 I dont need to work long hours. It's just optional for me. I have a strict schedule that I follow through out the week wether its working or personal life, I make sure I complete all those and it becomes just another day. I always lived by if you lived everyday instead of waiting for that weekend to enjoy life then everyday becomes just another day on my calendar. But your bro working 3 jobs, man that's nuts. But props to him.

[@ILoveYou-uj3vs]

In indonesia we did it but 776. 7am - 7pm for 6 days.

[@henrypowers4342]

You should do an episode on investment banking or financial analysts

[@damaracarpenter8316]

I teach chinese children online and was surprised at how many of my students basically never see their parents. :(

[@cleone423]

I'm surprised they even had the time or energy to have kids if they work that kind of schedule

[@blujay1608]

@@cleone423 A lot of rich kids are sent to boarding school five days a week (only home on the weekends) beginning when they are 6 years old.

[@jerrymchummer8549]

Welcome to the Matrix

[@ridesharebeware5747]

What difference does it make? Damara. Please take this into diplomatic consideration. My whole family is from the American South. Our parents didn't graduate. Our parents fought in battles they had no idea how to navigate. As a result, we never knew our parents. We're not a result of our parents. My parents are still alive and it took me a long time to understand the bullshit they needed years to understand. My mom was head of household and the primary earner. Women were always equal to me. Now I have to make excuses everywhere I go. Fuck you.

[@UmeSama2080]

@@ridesharebeware5747 What the hell are you on about

[@KhairaJihah]

Yet they ask why people don’t want to have kids. They barely have time for themselves 😕 this is sad to see

[@TeRRm0s]

Yet there are more than a billion Chinese

[@staalejonko]

@@TeRRm0s Yet you make a dumb comment. Currently China imposed a 4-child policy because a lot of young folks don't want to have children anymore. It used to be that everyone was having children but times has changed; China is heading into a downfall and they know it. See PolyMatter's videos about it: kzbin.info/aero/PLR5tswn4SFyUOm3QusvlFGbPCCAN_uXnK

[@UnQuacker]

@@TeRRm0s for now...

[@jagatdave]

@@TeRRm0s they would have been 2 billion...chinese are great ppl...they controlled their population without outside pressure ..they are honourable...they decided to control population because they went through huge humiliation at the hand of japanese and UK...god bless chinese culture

[@xavi.cat.4095]

@@jagatdave +1 social credit point

[@user-ro9tb6qc1p]

please do add subtitles for every video

[@annakougija]

It is crazy, so many countries allow this. In my 20’s I also worked simultaneously 2 jobs + university and I ended up in a hospital for a month with diagnosis exhaustion and burnout. Quit my jobs, left bf and took a break from my studies. After getting treated I started all over with a different mentality. I only do my own taskes, no more others work, working only from 9-5. Nothing less, nothing more. No extra hrs, unless those are paid etc. I realised, I do all the hard part and at the end my boss/ management collects bonuses/ dividends. I decided to work differently and my mental health is so much better thanks to that decision. Money isn’t worth ruining your mental health and overall wellbeing.

[@Leftcatholicsatanchurch09]

Oh Lord, this clip is literally showing folks working on a treadmill like a freakin’ hamster. This is extremely cruel and inhumane treatment of workers. It is so destructive to their mental and physical wellbeing. This supports the mindset that happiness involves struggle. Don’t buy the lie folks. 😊

[@bunk95]

Diagnosis fictitious.

[@prav1976]

No one ever said on their deathbed…’I wish I worked longer hours’

[@d3r3kyasmar]

I dont glorify long work hours. But i dont glorify words on deathbed.

[@dogchaser520]

If only... I had ... bought ... a nicer... car... [dies in Slave]

[@nochance3914]

@Prav1976 You have made your life confused.

[@SpoilerAlert__]

I've heard people say they wished they did more in life. Maybe they meant work more

[@waterdog9500]

Suicide rates are at an all time high. Trapped in a system only 1% want to be in.

[@narfd.8837]

What I find so absurd is that people justify 996 with efficiency even though the exact opposite is what happens when you overwork the employees. There are dozens of studies that prove that people with a solid work-life-balance are way more productive than those who basically don't do anything but work. Especially in high-performing jobs this has to be considered.

[@leozeng6696]

Well said!

[@laizhou7352]

One women in the video was sort of proud of for work hard 996. This makes me feel disgusting.

[@danielhandika8767]

If it needs more time, then it's not efficient at all, simple as that

[@bestarezeta2085]

If this is the case, slavery is most efficient

[@chrisdawson955]

But literally nothing in China makes any sense

[@BerryOng]

Thank you for making the documentary. I am 996 worker in China and felt tired, always not doing enough. You shaded the light 💡 on my struggle and maybes I am not the problem. But still on my way to find a job after being laid off my last 996 work. Maybe I should work harder to keep my job.

[@baron0877]

Or maybe you shouldn't give so much of your time and energy to a company that will just lay you off when it benefits them. Your employer is not your family and they are certainly not your friend.

[@BerryOng]

@@baron0877 Thank you for your insight and advice. You remind me that I can give much of my time and energy to my family and friends. My fear of work came from my mom who always said that I should do the best or I am useless. She taught me the wrong idea and made me felt not enough. So much time and energy I put into work, I just want to prove that I have some value and can contribute.

[@baron0877]

@@BerryOng I think your mom's message was intended to help, but I personally believe that the key is to do YOUR best, not THE best. So long as you are an employee and not part of ownership, the company doesn't deserve all of your waking time. You should work hard and efficiently during the hours that you were hired for, and only those hours (unless you receive overtime pay!).

[@BerryOng]

@@baron0877 Thank you for your reply. I cannot agree more. And what a coincidence that my mom taught me to work all my waking time for whole year non-stop. You have great insight and thanks for sharing it with me. 😄

[@Multi2794]

Wow this was very interesting

[@SauhardaBista]

Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived. -Dalai Lama

[@bjkarana]

deep.

[@sterlingw3611]

this must be one of many reasons the Chinese government was after the Dalai Lama

[@ghost_7766]

Well said!!!

[@denydeni144]

My point in a nutshell. Then you will probably get blamed and deemed weak for saying it…because “you are selfish and you want more” or something else…BS 😂

[@Q__tube]

You stole that from a quote by a Buddhist monk lol

[@VeteranVandal]

This isn't different from dying in a factory floor, it is just slower and more cruel. The manager says the efficiency is lower for people working less. In fact, it's the opposite. People working too many hours lose themselves into low efficiency habits and are generally too aloof and tired to be able to see and correct those. People can work efficiently for about 30 hours per week. The other 42 are worked shitly. I've done 16h work. It is like 8h, but takes longer.

[@FlyingMonkies325]

It about the fact that the more hours they get you to work the more products they can get out for money, they think they can make infinite money but other governments are trying are now saying "no that's silly and unrealistic there's no such thing" and duh of course but... it takes time to wein businesses and china off these things trying to get them to stop.

[@1vw4me]

The Germans discovered this LONG ago. They work 4, 8-hour days. 32 hours a week! That's it. The quality of their work is self-evident, as-is their lifestyle. Asia are merely working themselves into an early grave for the profit of their OverLord Managers. SICK!

[@steppenfuchs5608]

@@1vw4me what? No. As a German I can from experience (and statistics) say most work 40h weeks (full time).

[@damienholland8103]

16 hour work is NOT like 8 hours at all. I did that once or twice, when I was a security guard, and it was fucking brutal. Your brain only wants to concentrate on doing your job so much then concentration starts to fade, memory problems, willpower drains, potential for depression, start cutting corners on your diet, etc.

[@VeteranVandal]

@@damienholland8103 I meant in the sense you aren't really working. You are just there. You are still functional in a broad sense, but you might not be for long.

[@OURWORLD4EVER]

This is so sad. I'm in North America and I was going to take a higher job within my company but decided that I didn't want to bring home my job for the extra $$ it's not worth it having to work so much and jot living life. Life is to short to begin with.

[@dutchvanderlinde426]

Your just lazy

[@lk29392]

How do I count the 2-4 hours on I spend on KZbin during a typical work day?

[@energeticwhirlpool8666]

There are numerous studies showing overtime makes you less productive after a couple of weeks. Better to do a sustainable 40 hour week and also have a life outside of work.

[@unclerico1106]

Hell studies show us just working a five day work week is hectic enough. Wont lie I work 4 10 hour shifts I love it.

[@fn8772]

that may be true but people should not oppose 996 on the basis of it being inneficient for companies but on the basis of it being inhumane and in violition of human dignity

[@tydalm.9665]

I am a IT manager, and when someone of my staff attempts to solve a problem with working serious overtime, I kick them out of the office (or try to get them away from the computer in case of hime office). It's way better to have a clear mind to solve a problem. Trying to brute force a solution often just creates more problems (often only visible much later). Nothing against working an hour longer once in a while if you are close to getting something done, but that should be the exception.

[@unclerico1106]

@@fn8772 I mean that's the whole point. Working 8 hours a day is kinda useless unless in a customer service position and even than McDonald'sstays open 24 hours a day. Just like walmart.

[@adaml317]

Love that you are defending the 40 hour work week like it’s a good thing. It’s a relic of the past.

[@patrickwilliamson29]

What surprises me is that they're happy to have people to work these hours or even encourage them to do so. I live in Asia and you see the people here working for long hours but they are extremely unproductive, which actually costs the business more in the long run. It's better to have motivated hard working people in for 4 days a week than tired people who hate their job for 6

[@seething8614]

I totally agree with you regarding the difference between motivations and productivities. But sadly in my eyes, the gestures are showing more about the hierarchy, domination, and the insecurities of the leaders and companies. That's essentially why I chose to live in the west.

[@maalikserebryakov]

And from a more national perspective, giving people free time means they have more time to pump their money back into the economy through leisure, and this will open up new markets

[@Criszgz22]

@I am Fighterman I pity you

[@patrickwilliamson29]

@@iamfighterman9646 Japan also has the highest suicide rate and lowest work life balance. I like the place but workers get treated like shit there

[@chinguunerdenebadrakh7022]

@@patrickwilliamson29 Japan doesn't have the highest suicide rate, this is some decades old stereotype. Japan is 49th in the world at 12.2 per 100000. Some notable countries above that rate: Russia 21.6, South Korea 21.2, Kazakhstan 18.1, Ukraine 17.7, USA 14.5, Slovenia 14, Belgium 13.9, Finland 13.4, India 12.9, Sweden 12.4

[@rejectobject]

I work from 8:30 to 6. Then after dinner break from 9-12. I don’t eat lunch. I think what people mistake often is that the efficiency is not necessarily going to down. The KPI that suffers the most is the overall quality (assuming that quality is not a factor when you calculate for efficiency). There’s so much work to be done that you are forced to streamline your workflow, optimize SOP’s constantly, that in the end you champion quantitative output but ultimately the quality suffers. As a designer that’s really inconvenient as my portfolio is not enriching itself with quality contents. So on weekends I work on portfolio projects to level up my design output and to fill up my portfolio.

[@888young2]

as a chef a 12 hour day sat in front of a screen sounds pretty relaxing. a 16 hour shift isn't uncommon in my industry

[@rhi4288]

I'm glad the younger generation in Asia are starting to think and talk about their mental health and wellbeing over career, talking about that stuff has been a stigma in alot of cultures.

[@ineffably_described]

Imagine what the older generations say about them. It's always a "kids these days" conversation with seniors talking about younger people.

[@nanci_sousa]

There are better options overseas! Why stay there? That’s not life! That’s slavery!

[@andriod8014]

Not in China. Yes in other Asian countries they are thinking freely and protesting. But in China the government is currently cracking down on younger generation.

[@rodgersb1248]

@@ineffably_described yup it’s always older generations saying they had it bad so others should too instead of trying to better the system.

[@americansniper1641]

China is the worst country in the world to play video games you need a government Id because people under the age of 29 are only allowed to play 3 hours of video games cause they want the young generation to work as slaves

[@shahzeb3445]

My uncle passed away, he was SR software engineer at a company. He was young and unmarried, he took his work way seriously and his health very lightly. One day he died in cab due to heart attack while he was going to office.

[@wshyangify]

After his passing, the world didn't stop spinning. His ex-company didn't just immediately go bust either. His user account passwords were reset and his work were parceled out to other employees. Nothing significant happened as a result of this incident.

[@rupeshf]

@@wshyangify true. Organisations don't love u. Western world for example is in India for very same reason, cheap labour and slaves

[@delightk]

@@rupeshf and the western companies are the only ones that are paying reasonably in India. Not all obviously but most do, if it wasn't for these companies most of the youth would be at home masturbating their life away. Indian companies will pay you half of that with no other benefits.

[@BenQotsa]

How old was he?

[@Varun-uv4li]

@@BenQotsa he himself looking like a uncle

[@Kaka-zs4cp]

Wow, I’m doing this for 5 years and it never gave it a name! 996 sounds amazing

[@neilefc877]

Id love to know how Nicole is doing now. Its been two years since this doc was uploaded. I think about her alot, I hope shes ok

[@cutnayzura8299]

“If you dont do it someone else will.” God i’d hate to be under this manager Edit: wow I didn’t expect there will be so many comments and likes. Guys trust me, i’ve been with these kind of managers and the only impact he had on me was anxiousness, feeling not good enough, burn-out and unmotivated. My current manager understood if i said something is out of my capacity. When my jobdesc suddenly enlarged and i couldnt handle it, she gave me two interns. I still have to do it anyway, i didn’t have to do it alone. Better managers exist, and please be one.

[@daspedal2730]

but thats the truth. its only based on a neverending stream of "others" that keep it running! in every job on any place! every boss thinks that way! every single one!!! the really hard ones just spell it out!

[@JB-vt5sz]

It is true in alot of situations. Even in America.

[@jose31link]

That's not the manager, that's literally late capitalism

[@bl8388]

Had managers like that.

[@mskrazie]

damn that saying is so fkn played out they even use it for this?. i have hated it since they also use it for “what you wont do for your man, someone else will” bs 😭 lol

[@fahimzahir9587]

When will people learn that productivity has Diminishing returns! Productivity is not a function of time spent at work that linearly grows. Good sleep, decent wages, availability of good food, perception, and more intangible things are a factor of high productivity. The biggest productive gains often times come when you are resting and thinking about the problem passively.

[@houdinididiit]

Bingo

[@jleeblackmon5340]

China isn't worried abt quality they are just worried abt quantity, how many shitty products can we put out in the least amount of time possible.

[@allenchen3706]

I think they are just use their employees until their diminishing return is too low and then replace them

[@muhammadfajartrianto9888]

They use the rule on the ohter country, 996 is ridiculoso 👎🏼

[@jasperanusiem1743]

Facts.

[@misskoool]

This is so sad. I wonder what options these people have or don't have. I would imagine this would cause depression and other mental illnesses. We know sitting too much is bad too...and it can't be healthy to stare at a computer for that many hours. They have no time to exercise or eat properly. And if it were me im sure I'd find it hard to sleep well or enough after these long non-stop shifts. This type of lifestyle takes a toll on the body and mind. I would imagine it shortens lifespan. God bless these workers, may they find a better alternative.

[@InnerPartyMember]

That cat at 6:15 is so beautiful.

[@michaelh411]

This should be a wake up call to many people who are simply existing but not truly living. What use is money without having time for relationships and time for simply relaxing. The health problems both physically and mentally are the biggest threat. It's awesome to see these young people making changes before it's too late

[@lulyfresa]

Sometimes is not something you choose, you work because you have to work somewhere in order to eat, have a hause, medicines, a family... and as it has been said in the video: it's so easy to fall into poverty if you don't work extra hard.

[@HtheKing]

A counter point however is: Is it worth it to grind like this in your 20s to then work your way up the career ladder into a better more cushy job so you can enjoy life from your mid 30s onwards?

[@jackb8416]

Choice is the luxury of the powerful. People have to pay the bills to look after themselves and their family.

[@ShaneyElderberry]

@@HtheKing Only the executives get the option of a cushy job in their 30s and early retirement. The rest will suffer until their deaths, for compensation that is eaten up by the cost of the cities.

[@Valyssi]

A lot more people are realising this, which is why the cost of housing caught up, especially in tech cities where "high salaries" are offset by unaffordable housing. Luxuries are optional, food, housing and healthcare are not. As long as those basic needs aren't met or are extraordinarily expensive, workers have little power over their working conditions

[@SUAMISEJATI]

new word for slavery, 996.

[@matheusmarques7009]

It sucks, but has nothing to do with slavery. Don’t be overdramatic.

[@zeusolympus1664]

bcoz of online school we hace 9027--- 9 am to 2 am 7 days a week. Not exaggerating.

[@ketalegaming2572]

@@matheusmarques7009 you are slave in communist society another number to be replaced. This is modern slavery.

[@mannysong1752]

@@matheusmarques7009 its slavery dude don't suger coat it

[@precise1758]

It not slavery. You get paid and ultimately don’t have to do it. You can get pressured but you won’t get whipped, beaten, or sold like merchandise for not doing it. It’s a horrible work culture.

[@a2a2e1]

as a chinese we can never see this type video in mainstream social media and it will be banned.

[@CbassPlaysGames]

I worked in traffic control in Canada and during "The Big Lift" project at one point I worked 34 days in a row of 18 up to 20 hour days in my 30s. This isnt just a China problem now.

[@looksscotty]

My prayers go out to all the young people who were never allowed to enjoy their youth for a mentally sick society😭

[@looksscotty]

@@joku6764 WOW you’re so correct! Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks that. They always tried to put me on antidepressants. But that I never believed that shit would work In the back of my conscience. Now I’m better than ever and now I gotta save my siblings.

[@suningchen]

The whole world is the same. But I agree. Yeah, China is definitely a mentally sick society.

[@gmchessplay9043]

@MudLee Our country has a high population count? Doesn't China have something like 1.4 billion people? People are trying to sympathize with China's labor culture and you just want to bash Americans. Get a grip, no American cares what you think.

[@hipstajohnyy2033]

no one is forcing them tho...they can choice to unemployed and broke!

[@CHRF-55457]

@@joku6764 lol.

[@ayusuf91]

Really makes you appreciate trade unions and fight for flexible working arrangements.

[@willrobinson3114]

Ironically, trade unions are denounced as socialism yet China is perpetuating these human rights abuses under the pretense of communism

[@adrianb393]

Preach

[@backpackpepelon3867]

@@willrobinson3114 they had long stop being a communist. Now they are a worse version of US where ultra capitalist have almost absolute power. At least in US, some socialist group still have influence in calling shots.

[@thegreatfomo]

Really makes me appreciate capitalism in the US that enables young families like me and my wife to choose to stay home with our kids and opt out of the entire rat race. At least until our kids are older then we can find some hobby jobs or something.

[@myboketv]

@@backpackpepelon3867 no, not the ultra capitalists that have absolute power, still the government. CCP can make any chinese ultra capitalist disappear or vaporize.

[@jinpachibobochan3532]

Honestly, Corona did some good because it gifted people stuff like home office, and ever since, companies were pressured to offer a better work-life balance to their employees. People also realized that companies don't need them to be at their workplace all the time. Some types of jobs like the IT sector improved greatly ever since Corona. I got a friend who's now working from home all the time, making some nice money. He turned into a nomad and is constantly traveling around the world now cuz he only needs the Internet and a laptop for his work - some airline stuff.

[@sillyeyelash291]

996 is a dream come true. We work minimum 12 hours to maximum 16 hours in India in the hospitality industry.

[@Billdean25]

India dirty

[@srenpetersen1681]

Then it is a sick country

[@shinlanten]

*_"You have to be on standby all the time, whenever and whenever you are"_* Why I said *_no thank you_* to promotions at my previous job, once I clock out, I don't want to be bothered until I clock back in the next day and I especially didn't want to be bothered while I was on vacation.

[@happyfacefries]

I feel like that's becoming more of an expectation in America now.

[@lampyrisnoctiluca9904]

You are then one of the rare people who are both able and willing to do it. You value your life over the money. If you earn more than enough for a living, then you should be more concerned with the time than with money. It is sad that majority of people are more into materialism/conformity than the things that really matter in life.

[@ulissesmendoza8752]

@@lampyrisnoctiluca9904 exactly i work in warehouse and pretty much everything around me is warehouse and people take more time doing more work so they get more money then more time home with family it's like people are ignorant to put family over money

[@aj-sz8mu]

@@ulissesmendoza8752 to many of them tho, it is precisely because they think working more will bring more money for family. whether that means paying off a mortgage, loan, or someone's college tuition or just having extra for a good birthday party. so i never really judge why they do it.

[@ulissesmendoza8752]

@@aj-sz8mu but even me being 20 i work only part time because im not willing to die for a company who can replace me super fast i still got my priorities in check i guess because isn't the same with money management as others plus overtime doesn't really make a difference either it's literally like 100$ more and then taxes cut it to 80$ so it isn't really worth killing yourself for

[@KristinaSandnes]

Norway try to prevent overworking by having strict rules on how much you are allowed to work. You HAVE to have 4 weeks off every summer and you have to have 2 days off every week. I'm happy about that, because working too much can be bad for your health long term.

[@lisaw150]

Also for your relationship and therefore for the people around you. You need time and actual leisure to be a good partner, parent, friend, child, sibling... Otherwise other people will suffer because of your selfish pursuit of money and career "success". The Nordic/European model is much better than this sort of madness.

[@dreamoffreedom4062]

In my country the highest income can barely reach 1000 dollar and the lowest income can be even fewer than 150 dollar , we don't have fixed working hours , the boss can ask to work 23 hours if they wanted and we can be easily replaced and kicked out , and the worst part is the way they ask us to do things that don't fall under our job, like for example as teachers we must only teach kids not to clean the classroom , it's so fucked where i live i want to die

[@pepelepew1227]

@@lisaw150 these are good jobs in good companies, it's the price of getting ahead in life. you can always settle for a smaller car, smaller house, longer commute, backpacking vacations and crappier education for your kids with an average career. nobody is forcing you to live the high life. or you can always live in north korea, the remaining true communist where everyone but the officials are paid the same (crap). you wouldnt feel that miserable when everyone you know are equally poor.

[@RP-bx7qy]

@@dreamoffreedom4062 go away from there at all costs

[@TrollextheTroll]

China is paradise for slaves....🤡

[@shintyty]

My high school was 7 hours and 4 times a week. I don't think I appreciated my school system enough

[@TheKlaun9]

If you're getting 80000 as a young professional, you have to put in the hours. If you want to see 6 figures down the line, you have to do more than average. This becomes a problem when people with no prospects in low education jobs have to do it in order to survive. One of the things any employee needs to figure out at one point is what they want and are willing to sacrifice. I'm glad that I went through this school, it's better than any university on the planet - but I'm also glad I'm past this point in my life. What's really concerning to me is that it's not always optional. If you're a debt slave as they exist in many countries around the world, this is your life. Just teach your kids better

[@ogueyratogeyrat7448]

that why slave make u rich and dumb sheep american is one of them 😂😂

[@zoblad3557]

I've worked a 995 for an extended period of time. I found the schedule technically manageable; you don't have a life outside of work and you're exhausted both mentally and physically, so you tend to make more mistakes. It's really a terrible way to manage your workforce.

[@arthas640]

In China its not about productivity, its about the CCP's need to control their populace and prevent any political change in the country. Keep the peasants too busy and exhausted to protest or try to affect political change, keep the middle class happy with luxuries and rising wages so they wont want change, and bribe or bully the upper class into submission. That way no one can try to change the system and the CCP retains total control of the country.

[@HelloKitty-kb7ji]

@@arthas640 dude, that's smart 😮

[@elli6432]

@@arthas640 agreed. And in the West corporations large or small are more and more outsourcing to China or India creating such extended competition to the remaining market that employees perpetuate this nasty cycle by selling their skills on sites like fivrr less than half off!!

[@arthas640]

@@s7r49 that's one thing alot of people dont pay attention too: they work more but lose more to taxes and start eating out more so they end up making less then they think. I knew a guy who worked a ton on a salaried job at higher pay but didnt have time for dinner or breakfast so he started getting breakfast and coffee each morning and grabbed dinner on the way home and sometimes lunch too so hed be spending an extra $20+ dollars a day just on food. Stress can lead to snacking and make you desire fancier foods as stress relief too

[@arthas640]

@@elli6432 something like that happened where I live. Estimators in construction made Foreman wages (at the time 10-20% above journeyman wages or about $25-$30/hr) but then wages rose to closer to $40/hr so some people moved to cheaper areas and worked remotely so they could undercut other people. Before long guys out of state in areas with lower cost of living and lower taxes were working for $25/hr when it should have been $40/hr so your choices became work for nothing remotely or find a job in the city and drive 3+ hours a day.

[@holycow3355]

“If you dont do it someone else will.” Pretty much sum up the fate of every worker in the world !!!!!!

[@Dryenwc3]

In western countries, there is a severe shortage of labour, especially in health care, construction but also IT and other sectors.

[@emmabower9654]

@@Dryenwc3 Speak for your own country. Everybody is dying to get in many major construction projects in Australia but its hard to get your foot in the door you have to know someone high up. In The IT so many Students are coming out of UNI in IT and healthcare and cant get a job its only since Covid hit they was able to get jobs putting there health at risk for a job!!!

[@ElevenEleven1969]

“If you don't do it someone else will.” THIS is the real truth

[@rokmare]

That’s why illegal immigration is being pushed because they know illegals are desperate enough to take these jobs with lower pay and the beginning of race to the bottom.

[@Dryenwc3]

@@emmabower9654 im talking about labor, nurses, caretakers, actual construction workres (electricians, plumbers etc).

[@9288JH]

I work 8am to 11pm in a restuarant. 14-15 hrs a day. I love my job.

[@blackivoryshrine]

It’s interesting to see them start to do things how we used to do it, and we’re starting to go the 996 route.

[@EriczZzric]

"I don't know what I'm looking at, Just swiping aimlessly" We're all really just living the same life huh?

[@dubkonnection3420]

Nice point

[@McChrister]

Yeah, really éh....!!😂👋🏼🇨🇦

[@Clientchuk]

Just don't do it.

[@gabrielkok9208]

anything to get her mind off work even if it means staring at wet paint

[@sarah18497]

Not the same. :/

[@davecullins1606]

That executive woman sounds like she's on her way towards depression and/or suicide, or quitting her job entirely.

[@sapphic.flower]

Hopefully the last one

[@Soff1859]

If she's making 80k a year and doesnt have any time to spend money anyway, then she should be able to save and invest quite a lot and get out of this after a few years. Then work a laid back job and subsidise her lifestyle with those investments... i hope she isnt wasting it all on a huge appartment she isnt ever using or status symbols.

[@mrjebadia2582]

Hopefully Quitting

[@lowrider81hd]

You can’t just quit in China. You are a mere cog in the communist machine. If you quit, it’ll show in your record and you’re unemployable. Social credit will go down and you’ll never get a decent job. Blackmail on every level of life.

[@DonnieBarkie]

@@Soff1859 Chinese people are very limited to what they can invest in. its not easy to buy American stocks for example.

[@niconico486]

I worked like this for 6 months, for a politician. It was miserable. They wanted to renew my contract after for half of my previous pay-I didn't say no, but I did say "only if I can do it remotely" Now I only make stuff for them once or twice a week. It lets me maintain a salary while working independently. Best bussiness decision I've took

[@p2pnest]

Same in India i work in 6 day a week officially 8-5 job but it actually 8-6,7 almost avg 10 hour a day ... Very stressed and toxic environment

[@dontreadmychanneldescripti7104]

what do you do

[@jago7071]

Look up james scholz…bro studied everyday for 10 hrs…non stop for 2 years….still does….by nothing but himself nobody enforced any laws on him

[@khoirulanam9141]

This issue also occurs in Japan and Korea, their work culture is the same, working overtime without pay, they believe more in the culture of hard work than the study results that working too hard causes less productivity. did you know that germany works less hours than other developed countries but has a higher income? boss calling employees on holidays is illegal and shops must be closed on sundays.

[@MrSpartanspud]

I think it being a requirement for shops to be shut on a Sunday is pretty arbitrary but the rest of it makes sense.

[@minhdiennguyen5323]

Same with Italy bro. My boss asked my once time that why u dont go back to your country for holiday? Even when i did not really want to go, she sent me the money to book a filght- which, in my country Vietnam, seems like a myth.

[@khoirulanam9141]

@@minhdiennguyen5323 That's because the Asian leadership style is like the feudal era, the boss wants to be treated like a king and employees try to get promoted in various ways including extra hard work like slaves.

[@minhdiennguyen5323]

@@khoirulanam9141 It’s like that the gap between living standards 20 years ago and now so huge and the competitiveness is so unbelievable. Same with China, in Vietnam, there is q quote said that The society is a big marathon and if you run slower than your rival then you lose the position 😂

[@minhdiennguyen5323]

@@khoirulanam9141 It’s like that the gap between living standards 20 years ago and now so huge and the competitiveness is so unbelievable. Same with China, in Vietnam, there is q quote said that The society is a big marathon and if you run slower than your rival then you lose the position

[@kaoko111]

I worked similar hours in Mexico as a debt collector (i bet mexicans know already for what bank) My schedule was 8 to 8. No overtime, meetings after the regular working hours were normal (so any other day i was out at 9 or Even 10). No holidays, not even christmas, get sick? To Bad for You cause the work charge was designed to barely have time to fulfill your duties (a lot of people worked their free days to compensate a sick day), our pay was calculated not by our numbers of one week but an average of 8 weeks, so one Bad day can turn into 2 Bad months, i spend a year in there, 2 co workers died in bike accidents while working in just that period, 13 of My co workers were robbed in that period, My Office had always a shortage of workers, ergo some of us worked even more due to lack of muscle. It was fucking horrible, worst part? The motherfucker that owns the company doesn't give a shit, he mocks people who uses his services, mocks his own workers, Even the ones that die working for him. My advice? No ammount of money is worth your life, 1 year there caused me hypertension, i almost had a stroke AT 30 YEARS OLD.

[@Moodboard39]

Damn wtff .!

[@potaterjim]

Jesus christ, a 12 hour day _and_ meetings?! The fucking nerve! Not only are they so incompetent that they can't manage to find time for a meeting in a TWELVE HOUR SHIFT, but if I guess right, they purposefully do it after the shifts end so they don't have to pay, even though mandatory work-related activities are, what most would call, _work._ And, at the surprise of exactly no one, there's some rich fucker sitting on his ass at the top, doing none of the work and getting all of the pay. This is why we need unions and strikes. He won't be laughing when his entire underpayed, overworked workforce forms a strike line.

[@larrym2434]

United states unions never understood that the best way to protect US workers is to help unionize workers in other countries. All workers in all countries need basic dignity!

[@akshay-jr1qz]

Things like this makes me think why I shouldn't quit my job like what if ai got these one next

[@kikib8434]

I am so glad you got out of there and I hope you're doing much better and are much happier now. Thanks for sharing your story with us and big virtual hugs 🥰!!!

[@TL....]

during covid i did 7am to 9pm monday to friday, 9am to 9pm saturdays, 10am to 8pm sundays

[@MyGrassIsGreenest]

Sounds miserable hope you're not doing that anymore

[@TL....]

​@@MyGrassIsGreenest i did until a few months ago in late august when i quit i was working for an insurance office and we were all working from home during covid and i had to cover for a woman that went on extended leave when she got covid in april 2020. they never replaced her and i got her workload on top of mine with no raise and no overtime

[@ddchomeschool]

There’s a distinction between working 996 for a finite amount of time versus for the foreseeable future.

[@lubystkaolamonola529]

I was working in the nursing home for almost four years. There were people who were doing 16 hour shifts on daily basis. I was working on all shifts, sometimes doing spontaneous double shifts. "Could you stay for the night."After few weeks I realized that I need to apply "airplane mode"." When masks fall out in the plain mommy puts the mask on herself first then on the baby. So, I started to prioritize myself. Once I agreed to stay overnight from 3 pm to 7 am, and have next day off. They kind of forgot about the deal because I saw my name on the schedule. I just called them announcing that I am not coming. It was already 800 am next day, and they wanted me to be back at 3:00 pm. No freaking way. And my manager, lets say he was not happy, and I left him in screaming mode. I am not paying for your mistakes. You need to be your own advocate because those people won't care about you. You are a worker not a slave.

[@zhangcheng5535]

Dear, you can easily be working from home and still be earning probably double of what your employer pays you

[@moyrarasheed8641]

Proud of u !

[@healthmarket6224]

I know a Chinese girl who moved to Norway for a new job. She often stays in the office 3-4 hours after everyone has left. She is accustomed to it. Her boss always has to force her to go home 😂

[@RockTouching]

does she get much done in the 3-4 hours though?

[@Stierenkloot]

In Sweden they basically don’t even allow you to work overtime. And they force you to use your 30 days holiday per year

[@yun1666]

@@Stierenkloot which is good thing that not many countries seems to follow it.

[@tseamus8288]

My Chinese workaholic dad just realized about his mental health recently and regret never ever ever take holiday together as family after my mom died. I never going holiday with my family. We're middle class that enough to afford prmier needs every month like groceries paying bills but all things never enough. And then my dad blames me why not spending holiday together..since i was little kid everytime i ask to take vacation not like aboard expensive vacation just to other city and my dad replays no money no foods and always angry to me everytime i ask that so..i never ask..now he's have depressed and anxiety even working

[@christiandominguez986]

These are chef hours, in nyc ,in USA. I basically work 8am to 9pm 5 days a week. On my days off I working from home as well more 6 hours. In the past chef hour were 14 hours minimum.