Type of Work Systems – 996

What is “996“?

996 working, ICU waiting.

A “996” work schedule refers to an unofficial work schedule (9a.m. ~ 9p.m., 6 days a week) that has been gaining in popularity. Serving a company that encourages the “996” work schedule usually means working for at least 60 hours a week.

996 work system: arrive at work at 9 am every day and work until 9 pm. Work 6 days a week.

955 work system: arrive at work at 9 am every day and work until 5 pm. Work 5 days a week.

944 work system: arrive at work at 9 am every day and work until 4 pm. Work 4 days a week.

996.ICU : Work 996, be sick in ICU.

955.WLB : Work 955, work-life balance.

944.Life : Work 944, life comes first.

The following list of companies basically do not belong to the 996 companies, and are relatively close to the 955/965 level, but it still depends on the department and region, and cannot be guaranteed to be completely accurate.

  • It cannot be guaranteed that all departments are at the level of 955/10-6-5/965/10-7-5
  • Even if the average level of the department is 955/10-6-5/965/10-7-5, you may still have to work overtime part of the time.
  • Some departments of some companies in the list may have 975 or even 985 students. Don’t generalize.
  • Some companies in the list may have some or even more departments with 945, 10-5-5 or 11-6-5, so we have included them in the list.
  • Currently, most of the companies on the list are in Shanghai because I am in Shanghai and have a relatively good understanding of the situation in Shanghai. This does not mean that most of the 955 companies are in Shanghai. You are welcome to continue voting, and I will add more companies based on the voting results.

About the future

Always know what you want.

What I want now is an environment where I can learn English and technology, so that my choices in the future will not be limited to China, but will be from all over the world.

If you are nostalgic for the high salaries of domestic large companies

If you are afraid of going to a strange place

If you seek stability and are unwilling to change

Please stay in the country, come on.

If you like a challenge

If you like to experience different life

If you yearn for equal human rights, freedom of speech, and a society ruled by law

The world is so big, go out and see it.

There are many things you can’t change, but you can choose to leave


Work SystemHours per DayDays per WeekExample Company/IndustryDescription
9969 am – 9 pm6Some tech companies in China (e.g., Alibaba)Long hours, prevalent in tech and startup culture in China.
9559 am – 5 pm5Standard corporate companies worldwideStandard work schedule in many countries.
9449 am – 4 pm4Some creative agencies and consulting firmsShorter workweek with slightly reduced daily hours.
8888 am – 8 pm4 (per week)Manufacturing industry with rotating shiftsLonger daily hours, common in shift-based industries.
41010 hours4Some government jobs and tech companiesFour-day workweek with 10-hour shifts.
9879 am – 8 pm7Startups in high-growth phasesIntense schedule with no days off for quick scaling.
7747 am – 7 pm4Healthcare workers and emergency servicesLong shifts but three consecutive days off.
5825 am – 8 pm2Part-time workers in retail or emergency servicesVery long shifts with significant days off.
9989 am – 9 pm4 (per week)IT support companies with alternate workweeksAlternating week schedule with long daily hours.
104510 am – 4 pm5Freelancers and part-time workersShorter daily shifts for a flexible schedule.
6636 am – 6 pm3Oil and gas industry workers, emergency respondersIntensive shifts with more days off.
9649 am – 6 pm4Innovative tech companies focusing on work-life balanceBalanced workweek for better work-life balance.
99699 am – 9 pm6 (for 9 months)Construction projects, startups with intense deadlines9 months intense work, 3 months reduced work/vacation.
8458 am – 4 pm5Public sector, schools, educational institutionsStandard workday with earlier start and finish.
1212412 hours4Healthcare (e.g., nurses, EMTs), fire servicesLonger shifts, common in emergency and production roles.
9829 am – 8 pm2Weekend-only retail or event-based industriesFull weekend off, fewer but longer shifts.
107510 am – 7 pm5Retail stores, customer service centersSlightly later start for flexibility, covering customer hours.
1212612 hours6Police, fire departments, intensive project phasesIntense schedule with only one day off per week.
9359 am – 3 pm5Part-time workers, flexible work for parentsShorter shifts for part-time or flexible work.
24/724 hours on-call7On-call IT support, doctors, maintenance engineersOn-call availability at all times, often in critical industries.
9959 am – 9 pm5Law firms during peak cases, financial consultingIntense daily hours but retains a full weekend off.
6866 am – 8 pm6Logistics and delivery services during peak seasonsDemanding work schedule, nearly full-week work.
3433 pm – 4 am3Nightclubs, security services, night-shift operationsNight shifts covering late hours.
8448 am – 4 pm4Small businesses, some consulting or remote teamsShorter workweek with standard daily hours.
1213612 hours3 (on), 6 (off)Offshore drilling, rotational workers in remote locationsRotational schedule, intensive work followed by rest days.
Type of Work System
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