[ **up: [[Chinese language--Slang]]** ] --- # 996 (Chinese slang) > The **996 working hour system** (Chinese: 996 工作制) is a work schedule practiced illegally by some companies in China. It derives its name from its requirement that employees work from **9**:00 am to **9**:00 pm, **6** days per week; i.e. 72 hours per week, 12 hours per day.[^1] - *see also:* [[007 (Chinese slang)]] [^1]: ‘996 working hour system’, *Wikipedia*, updated 31 December 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/996_working_hour_system.