The startup culture in China requires long working hours from the employees. It is the way of life in China regardless of which industry it is. According to a research from Beijing Normal University, each year Chinese workers record an average of 2,000-2,200 working hours. In the United States, the record is 1,790 hours per year, 1419 hours in Netherlands, 1371 hours in Germany, and even in Japan, it is 1,719 hours per year. The Chinese government has also started noticing this intense working hours. Labour laws are not effectively protecting worker’s right and ‘death caused by overwork’ is now a reality in China.
Startups have lots of things to do and the number of employees is relatively less. Each of them is assigned with more responsibilities. All of them want to finish the work before leaving the office. So they frequently log in long hours, from 9:30am to 9:30pm. But employees are usually dedicated from within for these long hours. They get the flexibility of longer breaks in lunch and dinner. Also, there are lounges with Foosball and Xbox, and other indoor games. They can also dress casually, wearing t-shirts, shorts, and tennis shoes.
Some startups have a small loft with beds or bunks for employees to take naps during the day or stay at nights. There are music breaks, instruments, and fridges stocked with drinks and snacks. Office cooks are available for making food for the employees. Late night snacks at 10 pm are also the culture of many Chinese startups.
The thing about most Chinese startups is that their business models are not based on a unique idea, but one derived from somewhere else. As a result, they have ways to compete- on cost and speed. While you compete on low cost and speed, you have no other way but to reply on a 24-7, 365 (day) culture. Chinese employees have almost lost a work-life balance. Their jobs have become their life. Many of them are relocating to cities where they have no family or friends so they get to stay late at the office and make extra money. In the work breaks, they get to enjoy speedy wifi, video games, and free meals. And that’s exactly what they do when they go home. So now they prefer staying at offices, it’s become their lifestyle.
Although there are certain downsides to living in the office, productivity is reduced as there is a tendency at many startups for workers to put in face time staying late just to be seen staying late. The other problem is fatigue, as employees can’t be highly efficient if they are sleep-deprived. But in all cases, the key is to find the right balance. Employees need to be motivated and they now require more ownership in the company and a work culture they believe in. Young people are drawn to the thrills of a start-up and want the excitement of building something from the scratch. As a result, 60-70 hours of work per week might just be what’s required.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
