simplified Chinese: 996工作制; pinyin: jiǔ jiǔ liù gōngzuò zhì

 996 Work Culture

Definition
In Chinese, the term “jiǔ jiǔ liù gōngzuò zhì” literally means “996 Work Culture.” According to Kaye et al. (pp. 229-253), a “work schedule” is a complex and controversial work arrangement where employees must work from nine to nine in the evening, six days a week. Concerns about work-life balance and workers’ rights have surfaced in discussions around this idea, which has grown in importance in the IT industry.

Explanation
This tight schedule was employed by various firms in China’s fast-developing technology industry to enhance their productivity and competitiveness, which ultimately contributed to the development of the 996 work culture (Wasserstrom et al., Routledge). Additionally, the 996 work culture resulted from the implementation of this demanding schedule. On the other hand, it has been exposed to criticism because it frequently leads to burnout and negatively impacts the physical and mental well-being of workers. For this reason, it has been criticized.

Context of Usage
Activists, workers, and members of the general public are participating in arguments regarding the ethical consequences of such demanding work practices, which occur in the context of discussions about 996工作制. These discussions are widespread in both conventional and social media platforms.

Previous Example
A software developer in 2019 published an anonymous letter on the code-sharing site GitHub, expressing their disapproval of the 996 work culture at their organization. A larger discourse regarding labor rights in the IT sector was generated because of this, which led to an improved understanding of the issues that workers confront while working under such circumstances.

Example
“Workers deserve fair treatment and a healthy work-life balance” may be the statement that should be included in a social media post that advocates for improved working conditions. Let us take a stance against the 996工作制and to bolster the well-being of employees in the workplace! 💨 #WorkLifeBalance #FairLabor,”

Conclusion
The effect of technology, social media, and shifting cultural standards is reflected in the Chinese pop culture landscape, characterized by its diversity and dynamic nature. These three concepts give insights into this environment. These words from Chinese popular culture serve as language windows into the current Chinese experience. They provide insights into the shifting goals, ambitions, and cultural subtleties of a country undergoing tremendous change. These phrases serve as markers of cultural identity and give a prism to perceive the complicated fabric of Chinese pop culture in the digital era. As China navigates the intricacies of tradition and modernity, these terms allow for a better understanding of the intricate tapestry.

Works Cited
Kaye, D. Bondy Valdovinos, Xu Chen, and Jing Zeng. “The co-evolution of two Chinese mobile short video apps: Parallel platformization of Douyin and TikTok.” Mobile Media & Communication 9.2 (2021): 229-253.