DJI, the Chinese drone R&D giant, recently made headlines on Weibo with a new regulation—employees are now “forced” to leave work by 9 p.m.
This “no overtime” campaign officially began on February 27. At DJI’s Shenzhen headquarters, supervisors and HR personnel actively encourage employees to leave work on time, while in DJI’s Shanghai office, even the lights are turned off at 9 p.m. The policy has sparked widespread debate across social media.
A DJI employee shared their experience: “At first, it felt unbelievable, but later I realized that after managing my time properly, my work efficiency improved.”
A Shift Towards Work-Life Balance
Working overtime has long been prevalent in China’s Internet, high-tech, manufacturing, and e-commerce industries. The infamous “996” culture—working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week—has been a hot topic of discussion for years. According to recent surveys, in 2023, the average weekly working hours in China’s Internet industry exceeded 50 hours, with nearly 30% of employees working more than 60 hours.
As 2025 unfolds, more leading companies are starting to reflect on and correct this excessive overtime culture. Midea Group, for instance, announced “six prohibitions” at the beginning of the year, including a strict ban on after-hours meetings and unnecessary overtime. These changes, initiated by industry giants, may catalyze a broader transformation in workplace culture.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite the positive intent, enforcing a “no overtime” policy comes with challenges. Some employees worry it could be a disguised attempt to eliminate overtime pay and reduce their overall income. Others argue that if workloads remain unchanged, employees will take work home, leading to “invisible overtime.”
An industry practitioner expressed concerns: “Although the company mandates leaving work at 9 p.m., my workload hasn’t decreased. After going home, I still have to handle tasks, which increases my stress.”
In an era where work-life boundaries are increasingly blurred, the “always online” culture has placed immense pressure on employees. To address this issue, many countries have introduced the “Right to Disconnect,” granting employees the legal right to ignore work-related communications beyond working hours.
A Healthier Workplace
These new regulations and workplace reforms represent a significant step toward dismantling the abnormal overtime culture. They allow employees to transition from being mere “cogs in the machine” to well-rounded individuals with balanced lives.
Companies begin to recognize that fostering employees’ physical and mental well-being is a key to enhancing efficiency and creativity. The shift toward respecting personal time may ultimately lead to a more sustainable and productive workforce.
Written by Chen Wang, additional reporting by eeo.com, nbd.com.
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