JD.com founder Richard Liu warned employees against prioritizing work-life balance during a recent video conference, stating those who “put life first and work second” were not welcome at the company. This stance reflects a broader trend in China’s tech sector as executives face slowing growth and increased competition.
Major tech firms, including Alibaba and Tencent, have cut tens of thousands of jobs since 2021. Companies are now seeking younger, cheaper workers and demanding longer hours from existing staff. Pinduoduo, an e-commerce group known for its high productivity and grueling work culture, is seen as a model by some in the industry. In 2021, two Pinduoduo employees died in incidents linked to overwork by colleagues.
Older tech professionals, typically over 35, face the greatest risk of redundancy and struggle to find new positions. Employers often view them as expensive and less flexible due to family responsibilities. A 2023 survey of 2,200 professionals in China’s largest cities revealed widespread anxiety about career prospects and work-life balance. Many in the industry report experiencing depression and high stress levels.
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The working culture in China is really ‘unique’: rigid and extremely hierarchical (and patriarchal) structures, staff is expected to work overtime.
Just noticed that there is even a Wikipedia article about (but you’d find many other sources on China’s ‘996 working hour system’):
The 996 working hour system (Chinese: 996工作制) is a work schedule practiced illegally by many companies in China. It derives its name from its requirement that employees work from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week; i.e. 72 hours per week, 12 hours per day. A number of Mainland Chinese internet companies have adopted this system as their official work schedule. Critics argue that the 996 working hour system is a violation of Chinese Labour Law and have called it “modern slavery”.
The system is still very widespread, although deemed to be illegal as the article also says.
[Edit typo.]