What is the 996 Work Model?
The 996 work model prioritizes long working hours, promising increased productivity. However, it comes at a high cost to workers’ health, stress levels, and quality of life.
After a day’s work and returning home for rest, time becomes precious. Yet, the 996 model encourages workers to put work before personal matters by working from nine in the morning until nine at night for six days a week.
This trend originated in China, where the work culture traditionally demanded more time spent working than on personal affairs.
Worker Backlash in China
Chinese workers protested against the 996 model due to its high physical and mental toll. In 2021, China’s Supreme People’s Court declared it illegal.
Why did the 996 Model Gain Popularity in Silicon Valley?
Silicon Valley is known for birthing innovative startups like Facebook and PayPal, where competitiveness is fierce. Being the best becomes a race that sacrifices leisure time.
To compete with other startups, both locally and internationally—including China—the 996 model has become a trend, prioritizing long working hours over breaks like gaming rooms or ping pong tables.
Notably, Alibaba founder Jack Ma defended lengthy work hours in 2019, arguing that China’s success was due to the 996 model. This sparked controversy and concern over work-life balance.
Physical and Mental Consequences
Although the 996 model promises higher productivity, it quickly becomes unsustainable as prolonged work exhausts the brain and sitting for extended periods causes health issues.
Work-related stress is a consequence, manifesting as irritability, anxiety, fear, bad mood, frustration, and demotivation, according to Mexico’s Social Security Institute (IMSS).
Physically, work-related stress shows as headaches, fatigue, stomach problems, and sleep issues.
Globally, India works the most hours weekly at an average of 56 hours. Latin America’s Colombia averages 46.6 hours, while Mexico averages 45.2 hours, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the 996 work model? It’s a labor practice where workers put in long hours, typically from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week.
- Where did the 996 model originate? It began in China, where the work culture traditionally prioritized work over personal life.
- Why did the 996 model gain popularity in Silicon Valley? The fierce competitiveness among startups drove workers to adopt this model, sacrificing leisure time for perceived productivity gains.
- What are the consequences of the 996 model? Physically, it can lead to headaches, fatigue, and sleep problems. Mentally, it causes stress, anxiety, and demotivation.
- Is the 996 model legal? In 2021, China’s Supreme People’s Court declared it illegal.
