Working in China: Napping, Overtime, and the Never-Ending Lunch Break
The Dazexiang uprising took place in 209 B.C. when two army officers, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, tasked with heading north to defend Yuyang, were delayed by a rainstorm in Anhui province, only halfway to their destination. No big deal, right? Actually, it was a VERY big deal. At the time, imperial law mandated execution for any tardiness on the part of a government worker (maybe a rather twisted take on the “severance package”). Chen and Wu were in big trouble, and, figuring rebellion better than death, they organized a band of 900 villagers to lead an uprising for the next five months. Their rebellion was unsuccessful, but they went down in history as perhaps the only people ever to rise up against their government because they were late for work.
This is one of my favorite episodes from history because it’s so absurdly hilarious yet dark. Thankfully there are no jobs today for which the punishment for tardiness is death (209 B.C. was a very long time ago). The story strikes us as absurd in part because of its distance in time. How would a policy like this come about, or why would anyone take a government job if that was the condition? It’s a reality that seems far away from the world of work today. Fortunately, if the lack of peril involved in your working life fills you with ennui, there are still plenty of (much, much, smaller) surprises awaiting anyone who decides to seek work in another culture, and — while undoubtedly less stressful than impending execution — those challenges are worth our attention.
I live in China and work at an advertising agency called Wezonet. As I described in the introduction, I’d like to use this experience to inject a little bit of fresh air into the world of internet articles about working in China. The cultural difference I’m talking about today is mentioned in a lot of pieces, but I notice that the image presented by many other authors is a little monolithic and doesn’t capture the variety of circumstances you may find yourself in. Cultural differences are more akin to themes than laws. They present small pieces of themselves to you across a range of experiences rather than articulating themselves as unitary mandates. It takes many small stories to talk about something so nebulous.
This week I’m shedding some personal light on a well-trodden topic:
Napping, 996, and Overtime
Napping comes up in quite a few articles about office culture in China. Lunch breaks are long, often 2 hours, and this time is used by many workers for a bit of mid-day rest. While there are no cots in the Wezonet office, it’s not an uncommon sight — the office just down the hall breaks them out almost every day. Around here it seems like people mostly just want to refresh themselves in the middle of the day, an alternative to the caffeine-fueled workday that many are used to back home in the U.S..
However, sometimes this is tied to what is commonly referred to as 996: working 9am-9pm, 6 days a week. The trend started in the 2000s, especially among tech companies eager to compete. The schedule helps drive an explosive tech industry, but naturally it also creates a few disadvantages for employees. One example: you might sleep at work because you simply don’t have enough time to do it at home. Of course this grueling schedule is not without its critics, especially among younger generations. It makes a popular topic for journalists, the wealth of articles giving the impression that it’s a fact of life for anyone working an office job in China.
There is some truth to this, but it’s not the whole story. As an example, the company where I work, Wezonet, takes on a model more familiar to western office workers: 5 days a week, 9:30–6:30 (including that two hour lunch break). A number of fellow expatriates working for similar companies in China have the same schedule, as well as many of the young Chinese professionals I know. Anecdotally it doesn’t seem that difficult to find counterexamples to the common 996 narrative, especially at companies who employ or are looking to employ skilled foreign workers. Fortunately, the mid-day nap is still the norm at companies with more balanced schedules.
The time in the middle of the day to nap, play a game, read, or do whatever I please has quickly become a pleasure I’d be loathe to part with. It provides an opportunity to slow down and recompose during the day without having to worry about eating quickly or not having time to do a quick errand. The ability to turn away from work for two hours in the middle of the day relieves stress and leads to more productive afternoons at times when I might otherwise burn out. Complete relaxation is not just allowed, it’s encouraged. Lights turn out, blinds close, and voices hush. The time to rest is thoroughly incorporated into everyone’s routine: people keep pillows, blankets, and eye-masks at the office to make sure they can decompress in comfort and style. It’s something I never expected to enjoy so much.
I’ve found that articles on the topic often overplay the differences in time expectations. While many of my coworkers do work overtime or spend the occasional late night at the office, no one is sleeping in the conference room or showering in the sink every morning, like so many articles suggest. These images are popular with readers because they are extreme, not because they are universally true.
If you are interested in seeking employment at a Chinese company (or anywhere abroad), I have a few suggestions.
Don’t: be dissuaded by horror stories or sensationalism. Companies looking for foreign workers will be familiar with work expectations abroad and will want to help you acclimate. Don’t be afraid to make requests and don’t assume the worst before you see for yourself. On the other hand, if you think that you might be signing up for something you wouldn’t accept at home then don’t be afraid to refuse.
Do: ask clear questions and understand the culture of the office. This oft-repeated interview advice is especially helpful when you’re getting ready to adapt to a different business culture. When I interviewed for my current job, most of my questions related to office policy, culture, and communication. I think this is the best way to know what you are getting into and find employment to your liking. No one is out to trick you, and — as with the U.S. — many of those who pull extra long hours are not shy to talk and/or brag about it, so you should have no problem identifying if those expectations are present.