🔗 Share this article

Currently, an engaging leisure choice is a show set in the past illustrating New York's high society during a prosperous era. One storyline casually mentions steelworkers going on strike for the principle of “888”: eight hours each of work, sleep, and recreation.

This demand was not revolutionary during that period. The phrase, linked to social reformer Robert Owen, was first used in 1817. Before that, a 16th-century law reportedly limited laborers in the colonies to eight-hour days.

So what these historical figures or a Spanish monarch make of “996”? This concept means being on the job from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days out of a week – amounting to 72 hours of grind. Originating in the tech sector in China, 996 was once labeled a “blessing” by an influential e-commerce founder. Yet, laborers objected, organizing through the internet and successfully pursuing court cases with companies.

Currently, 996 is resurfacing – and it probably never went away. Reports indicate that employees across industries are expected to put in long shifts. Within tech hubs, embracing such hours is seen as key to advancement. Recruitment posts openly require grueling time commitments and stress that job seekers must be enthusiastic with the opportunity. Talent scouts receive orders that a readiness to endure such hours is absolutely required.

One publication announced that grindcore culture is back and more intense than before. An entrepreneur summarized the mindset as: “No drinking, no drugs, 996, lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, eat steak and eggs.” Another wrote online about often being through the weekend and achieving greatness after dark.

Many people find it confusing with this development. Hadn't we collectively moved away with hustle culture? Encouraging results from reduced-hour experiments demonstrate that nearly all participating companies chose to continue the new schedule. Observing global examples, progressive labor practices that reconcile family, community, life and work do not necessarily come at a productivity cost and frequently result in happier, healthier citizens.

Take the case of the Netherlands, with an average working week is approximately 32 hours. Even with shorter hours, this state is economically outperforming other economies and ranks in the top five in the latest World Happiness Report.

Moreover, there is talk of growing work-agnosticism, especially among the new workforce. Surveys from well-known organizations showed that work-life balance was listed as the most important factor when picking a job. For the first time, this factor outranked compensation in worker preferences.

Then why is this renewed, harsh embrace of grueling schedules? A couple of ideas might explain this trend. Initially, it might represent the final effort of a fading philosophy – one last push prior to its end. On the other hand suggests recent research revealing that too much labor can cause cognitive shifts. Evidence state that those with extreme schedules display notable differences in neural pathways associated with cognitive control and mood management. Looking at certain well-known industry personalities, such a conclusion fits well. Only individuals with cognitive differences could believe that these conditions are healthy or productive.

Since innovators often love new ideas, it's possible their influenced minds could be swayed that extreme schedules are outdated with audacious alternatives. What exactly might catch on? Many desire shorter workweeks, approaching a thinker's idealized 15-hour workweek. Alternate models feature a balanced mix of work to rest, or dedicating limited office hours and longer periods in leisure. Perhaps branded cleverly and claims that it improves health, any of these could become the latest craze in high-pressure sectors.