China's official work week is 40-44 hours (5 days), but the popular, often illegal, "996" culture (9 am-9 pm, 6 days/week) persists, especially in tech, leading to averages over 48 hours weekly, with long hours driven by intense competition and performance targets, though the government is cracking down on this culture.
The Standard Work Hour System is the most widely implemented in China. Under this regime, an employee's workday is capped at eight hours, and the average workweek should be at most 40 hours. Typically, this translates to a five-day work week, but variations do occur, with some companies opting for a six-day work week.
In 1995, then Chinese Premier Li Peng signed a State Council decree mandating a five-day work week, with employees working eight hours a day and 40 hours a week.
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.
The seven-day week appears not to have overcome cultural inertia in China until very much later, when days of the seven-day week were given out anew, being simply "Heaven day" (or "Sun day"), weekday 1, weekday 2, ... weekday 6." So there is no simple correspondence between the two systems.
"In China, there is a company work culture at startups that's called 9/9/6. It means that regular work hours for most employees are from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week. If you thought Silicon Valley has intense work hours, think again."
China is a collectivist society, so it's important to put the needs of the group before the needs of the individual. The “996 working hour system” (9 am–9 pm, 6 days a week) has faced backlash in recent years. Chinese labor laws officially cap the workweek at 44 hours, though enforcement varies.
France has a legally mandated 35-hour work week which was established over 22 years ago in 2000. The standard working hours in France are typically between 8 AM to 4 PM or 9 AM to 5 PM.
In 2021, after years of increasing pushback from workers, the Chinese government cracked down on the widespread 996 practice, which was technically illegal but seldom enforced. While still commonplace in the tech sector, some companies have backed off, at least publicly. Globally, though, 996 appears to be on the rise.
The "996 rule" is a demanding work schedule, popular in some Chinese tech companies, meaning employees work from 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week, totaling 72 hours weekly, which violates Chinese labor laws and causes burnout, though it's been debated for its perceived link to rapid growth, with figures like Infosys founder Narayana Murthy recently suggesting similar hard work for India's progress, sparking significant controversy.
Statutory paid vacation is required by the Labor Contract Law of China, and the number of days depends on the total number of years spent in employment. Note that, unlike in other countries, the total number of years is based on an employee's work experience with all employers, not just the current one.
Gross salary in China includes the full amount before deductions, such as individual income tax and employee contributions to social insurance and the housing fund. The employer also makes separate contributions, which are not deducted from the employee's gross pay but still increase the overall cost of employment.
Globally, the average work week is closer to 40 hours. At one extreme, Bhutan holds the record for the longest work week globally, at 54.4 hours per week, according to the ILO. While at the other, workers in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati enjoy the shortest work week at just 27.2 hours.
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.
Tuesdays are traditionally a quieter day in the food business. Many Chinese takeaways close to cut costs, conserve resources, and focus on prepping fresh ingredients for busier days. Plus, in some cultures, it's common to take a midweek day off to balance work and family time.
In mainland China, Christmas is not an official holiday. December 25 is just an ordinary day; schools and offices remain open, and festive family gatherings aren't really a thing.
Shops, department stores and supermarkets are open from 08:30-09:30 to 21:30, including public holidays. Restaurants and bars are always open from around 10:00 to the late night, sometimes even into the small hours or for all night.
