What Is Mandatory Overtime?

The 996 work system is a work system that extends the legal working hours in violation of the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China. It refers to work at 9 am and 9 pm, and an hour (or less) of noon and evening rest. The working system of more than 10 hours and working 6 days a week represents the overtime culture prevailing in Chinese Internet companies ^[1] .

996 working hours

In October 2016, Internet companies

On March 27, 2019, a

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Controversy over 996 does not mean that you do not want to fight or work. No one does not understand the principle of "no work or no gain." But advocating struggle and advocating labor is not the same as forcing overtime. Hard work is hard work, and smart work is hard work; extending working hours is hard work, and improving efficiency is hard work. Therefore, employees who oppose 996 cannot be labeled with the moral label of "mixing the days" and "not struggling", but should face their real demands squarely. Mandatory implementation of 996 will not only solve the problem of "trust-agent" in enterprise management, but also contribute to the ills of "Moyang Engineering". From the perspective of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, the extreme fighting spirit on them is valuable, but taking into account the different positions of ordinary employees, forcing instillation of 996 overtime culture, not only reflects the arrogance of enterprise managers, but it is also not practical ,unfair. ^[1] (reviewed by People's Daily)

Among the media's skepticism, some companies argue that this is a corporate culture, "promoting" employees to work overtime, "encouraging" employees to be fully engaged and efficient. Legally, such an approach is not supported. The labor law clearly stipulates that employers can extend working hours, generally not exceeding one hour per day and 36 hours per month. The "996 working system" overtime hours far exceed this requirement. ^[3] (People's Daily Comment)

The bosses are righteous, holding "996" like a flower, but what exactly is the "996" working system, which is not illegal? In fact, there is not much room for discussion. Away from the fog surrounding overtime, under this layer of gorgeous morality, it is the original impulse of the enterprise to benefit. In the final analysis, this is just a strategy to pass on operating costs. Maximizing the utilization of existing employees without increasing the number of workers. This is not dedication, but a squeeze. It's nothing to be proud of, it's a stain on the contrary. ^[11] (Qianjiang Evening News Review)

The beginning and development stages of an industry can be fought down by biting teeth, but the development of sacrificing the normal life and rest time of employees is not sustainable. It not only lays hidden dangers to the health of employees, but also cannot usher in the future of an industry. "Going to work 996, sick ICU", although it is ridiculous, but it is enough to alert related companies. There is only work and no life. In such a state, even if the employee holds a high salary, where does the happiness come from? The "996 working system" should not be the norm in any industry, not just Internet companies. ^[12] (reviewed by Guangzhou Daily)

Internet companies have always advertised several concepts such as innovation, equality, and freedom. Their vision is often to change the world; but those companies who work overtime in disguise are only on the old road of non-standard companies. They are forced to instill the will of their bosses. Corporate Governance. In the end, capable employees will gradually leave him, and incompetent employees will be left to dance with the word of loyalty. Innovation is not possible in these companies because of the lack of equal soil and free space; success is also difficult to belong to those companies whose pay and return cannot be unified, because that will always lead to distraction. These companies seem to be engaged in the Internet industry, but in fact they all lack the true Internet spirit. ( Phoenix Online Review ) ^[13]

CEO Yao Jinbo's Weibo comments, many suspected 58 employees in the same city have left messages to discuss. Yao Jinbo has thousands of comments under the first Weibo post, and some users commented that "overtime 9 am 9 pm 9 hours a week and 6 days a week without any subsidy for recuperation"; some users said, "Young people need to work hard, but It ca nt be used like this ; users also said that 996 violates labor law and lays off workers in disguise . ^[14]

In online reports, many people believe that this does not rule out suspicions of "layoffs in disguise", hoping to force some employees to resign voluntarily, thereby saving a considerable amount of compensation.

Today, these companies in China BAT are able to 996, I think it is a blessing for us. In this world, each of us wants to succeed, we all want a good life, and we all want to be respected. I ask everyone, how can you achieve the success you want without the effort and time beyond others? Today we have so many resources and we have a huge mission. We hope that in the future, there will be no difficult business in the world. Can you not pay? No ^[4] . (Ma Yun commented)

Containment of "996" requires strict enforcement by the labor inspection department, timely suspension of the "996" work system implemented by some employers, severe punishment of employers who do not stop illegal acts, and payment of their due price. In this way, the laborers themselves actively defend their rights, and the labor supervision department actively performs their duties and strictly enforces the law, which will help the "996" working system to fade out and even disappear, and truly protect the rights and interests of the laborers ^[15] . (Economic Reference Review)