Prime Highlights:
- Many tech startups now expect employees to work long hours, reflecting a culture of dedication and ambition.
- Founders encourage flexible work schedules, allowing employees to focus on ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
Key Facts:
- The “996” culture, working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, is gaining popularity in competitive tech industries.
- Critics warn that measuring productivity by hours worked can lead to burnout, though many founders still see long hours as a commitment to success.
Background:
A growing number of technology startups, particularly those working in artificial intelligence, are adopting work cultures that demand extremely long hours from employees, reviving debate around productivity, pressure, and work-life balance in the tech industry.
One such company is Rilla, a New York–based AI firm that develops software to monitor sales teams in the field. While its recruitment website promotes generous benefits such as free meals, gym access, and healthcare, job listings also openly state an expectation of working close to 70 hours a week in person. This approach is part of a workplace trend called the “996” culture, where employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.
Supporters say long hours come naturally from ambition and passion, especially in very competitive industries. Company leaders say employees can work flexibly instead of sticking to strict schedules, so they can focus on ideas whenever they want. Many workers, especially younger ones, find this energising rather than tiring.
The push for longer hours is largely driven by intense competition in artificial intelligence. With more funding and rapid growth, companies must move fast to beat competitors. Recruiters note that this urgency has made extended workweeks more common among early-stage, venture-backed firms.
The culture is not new. It first gained attention in China during the early 2010s and was publicly supported by high-profile business leaders at the time. After facing strong criticism and legal cases related to unpaid overtime and employee exhaustion, Chinese authorities stepped in, forcing many companies to stop openly supporting such long working hours.
Even so, similar views are still seen in other parts of the world. Some company founders believe long working hours show dedication rather than pressure, especially when building challenging products. They often prefer to hire people who share this way of thinking.
However, critics warn that measuring productivity by hours worked can be harmful. Experienced professionals say constant overwork can cause burnout and may push away skilled employees, especially those with family responsibilities. While it is widely accepted that founders may work longer hours because of their personal investment, expecting all employees to do the same remains a debated issue.
As technology companies grow faster, the debate over how much work is too much will continue to be a key topic in discussions about the future of workplaces.
