Photo/Shetuwang

"Working Hours= working effiency?"

Ma Qiuyu, aged 20+, secretary to company president, finance industry

I personally do not like 996 and I won't choose 996. Although some companies do not lay out 996, it has became the unspoken rule among businesses and industries.

Employees show off their loyalty to the company by working 996 and employers believe it can create economic benefit. However, more working hours does not signify high working efficiency. On the contrary, it is a better mode to finish work efficiently in a short time.

"Brain-intensive rather than labor-intensive"

Mr. Fan, aged 20+, engineer, IT industry

Now I work from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, three days per week and in the rest, I clock off at 5:30 pm. Back to old days I worked overtime every day, while 996 only makes me sleepy during work. 

The high income of IT industry is determined by its nature, the brain-intensive work, rather than its working hours.

"How about my life?"

Wang11, aged 20+, designer, construction industry

I used to work overtime, even more serious than 996. 

On my birthday two years ago, I did not come off duty until 2 am next day. My parents waited me the whole night while I found them asleep when I went home.

In the office, I felt broken down and was crying out loud while I kept typing and working. Crazy! It was too bleak to bear, which made me decide to quit. I feel that it is too unpleasant to give up life for money.

"I am not a machine that only works."

Tengteng, aged 20+, designer, landscape design

Mine is better than those coders' because I work 10 hours a day and have a two-day weekend. But I still work overtime. I'm up in arms against 996. I am not a machine that only works. I have the right to fight for my interests. I can choose to work overtime, but forcing me to work extra hours is kind of hooliganism.

"Do you love your job?"

Wu, 30+, teacher and school counselor, university

As a teacher and school counselor, I never turn off my phone in case of emergency. So I usually work 24*7, far exceeding 996.

Others always say that being a teacher is comfortable, but actually some teachers don't have time for surgery except for the summer and winter holidays. But I still like my job very much. 

Because I like it, I never think that 996 is a problem to me. Those who think 996 as a problem often feel uninterested in their work.

"Excessive work leads to burnout"

pdd, aged 20+, from real estate industry

70 percent of my working time are 996 now and 10% are even worse. It is not because of my efficiency but too much work that make me overwhelmed now. 

When I was in school, I find it a blessing to fight for your future through working hard. However, the reality has taught me a lesson. When most of your life is occupied by your job, you will be weary of it even you once love it very much.

 

Editor: Yu Peiying