Can you go ‘all in’ as an employee and still have a healthy approach to work? Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com thinks so

Are technology companies in China working their employees too hard?

A social media post on Tuesday by a self-described employee with e-commerce company JD.com went viral on Maimai.cn, a Chinese version of LinkedIn, reigniting debate about the work culture of China’s tech industry, which has spawned some of its biggest companies in recent years.

The JD.com employee said he heard rumours that the company will implement a “995” work culture – shorthand for 9am to 9pm, five days a week – and asked if anyone had received official notice. The post attracted many comments, with one user saying it is “an indirect way to fire people”, while others commented that their companies had even “crueller” work culture, with 12-hour work days, six days a week. “Cheer up! You have a two-day break every week,” one post read.

Putting in the sort of hours once associated with investment bankers has long been an unwritten rule in China – a way to demonstrate work ethic and prove your job dedication. The tech industry has in recent years given rise to the “996” culture that critics have said is leading to lower productivity and burnout.

Earlier this year, Zhu Ning, founder and chief executive of Hangzhou-based e-commerce firm Youzan, sparked controversy when he called on all employees to embrace the 996 work culture.