Major Chinese companies are urging employees to step away from the office and embrace a healthier work-life balance. Renowned firms like Haier, Midea, and DJI have implemented policies to discourage overtime and ensure workers enjoy their personal time.
These companies are adopting various strategies to promote this shift. Some have stopped providing meals on Saturdays, signaling that the workweek has officially ended. Human resources managers are making personal rounds at the end of the day to remind staff to leave on time. In some cases, offices are even turning off the lights to encourage employees to head home.
Midea has enforced regulations prohibiting team leaders from holding meetings outside formal work hours and has cracked down on unnecessary overtime. DJI now requires all employees to stop working and leave the office by 9 p.m. Haier has gone a step further by implementing mandatory two-day weekends, barring employees from coming in on Saturdays. Any overtime needed under special circumstances must be approved one week in advance, and overtime on regular workdays is limited to three hours per day.
According to Xu Fenghui, deputy director of the Department of Labor Economics at the Capital University of Economics and Business, these practices reflect a growing respect for talent and labor in China’s development process. “It shows a greater focus on protecting workers’ rights and interests, promoting fair employment and social justice,” he told local media.
Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, believes this trend demonstrates companies’ concern for their employees’ well-being. “It reflects a positive response and initiative in the face of market competition and policy pressure,” he said.
This move marks a significant shift in China’s work culture, traditionally known for long hours and the “996” schedule—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. The new policies not only aim to improve employee satisfaction but also to boost productivity by ensuring workers are well-rested and motivated.
As these major companies lead the way, many are watching to see if this marks the beginning of a broader transformation in China’s workplace norms.
