🔗 Share this article The 996 Work Culture: A Concerning and Unreasonable Reality. What's the Problem with 888 – or Perhaps 000? Currently, a favorite cultural comfort option is a historical series depicting Manhattan's elite in a bygone time. One storyline briefly touches on steelworkers protesting for the principle of “888”: eight hours dedicated to work, sleep, and leisure. This concept was far from new during that period. The slogan, attributed to visionary thinker Robert Owen, dates back to 1817. Historically, a centuries-old Spanish ordinance restricted construction workers in the Americas to eight-hour shifts. So what these historical figures or a ruler from the past think of “996”? This term refers to laboring from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week – adding up to 72 hours of grind. First seen in the tech sector in China, 996 was once described as a “blessing” by an influential e-commerce founder. However, laborers pushed back, organizing through the internet and successfully pursuing labor disputes versus their bosses. Now, 996 has returned – though it likely never went away. Reports indicate that staff in various sectors face expectations to work 12-hour days. Among startups, following such hours is considered essential for success. Job listings sometimes state absurdly long hours and indicate that candidates must be enthusiastic with the opportunity. Some recruiters are told that a readiness to endure such hours is mandatory. One publication announced that grindcore culture is back and grindier than ever. A founder described the attitude as: “No drinking, no drugs, 996, lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, eat steak and eggs.” A different wrote online about routinely working during days off and achieving greatness during odd hours. Many people find it confusing with this development. Hadn't we all fallen out of love with hustle culture? Recent successes from shorter workweek trials prove that the vast majority of involved firms chose to continue the revised hours. Considering other nations, more enlightened work models that balance personal and professional duties may not come at a productivity cost and can create improved well-being. Take the case of the Netherlands, where the average workweek is around 32 hours. Despite this, this state remains doing better than similar countries and stands fifth in the most recent global well-being index. Additionally, reports indicate of a shift away from career obsession, particularly with youth. Polls from leading companies revealed that personal time emerged as the top priority when picking a job. For the first time, this element came ahead of salary in worker preferences. How then are we seeing renewed, harsh push for overwork? A couple of ideas might explain this trend. First, it could be the last gasp of a declining mindset – a final flare-up as it winds down. Alternatively proposes new studies revealing that too much labor leads to mental alterations. Studies state that those with extreme schedules exhibit alterations in neural pathways associated with decision-making and mood management. Considering a few famous figures in tech, that idea fits well. Perhaps only those with such brain changes could think that these conditions are healthy or productive. Because industry insiders usually seek innovation, it's possible their overworked selves could be swayed that inhumane working practices are old hat through creative options. What exactly might catch on? People imagine three-day weeks, not far from an economist's formerly suggested 15-hour workweek. Alternate models feature a set proportion of meetings to breaks, or dedicating a short time onsite and additional days for oneself. Maybe with a catchy name and talk that it improves health, any of these could be the new phenomenon in high-pressure sectors.