A British expat’s candid confession about his exhausting experience at a Chinese tech giant has sparked a heated debate about the notorious 996 work culture. Jack Forsdike, a 28-year-old from Yorkshire, shared a revealing post on a popular Chinese social media platform, showcasing his worn-out face and questioning his decision to take on the demanding role.
Forsdike, who joined NetEase in Guangzhou in 2022, initially worked as a translator, but was later transferred to game design in January 2024. His workload skyrocketed in April, forcing him to put in 80-hour weeks to meet deadlines. Despite not being mandatory, overtime became the norm, with Forsdike often leaving the office after 10pm and sometimes working Saturdays.
The post, which garnered over 265,000 views, was not intended as a complaint, but rather a reflection of his struggles. Forsdike, who studied Chinese at the University of Manchester, had always been drawn to working in China and enjoyed his role as a game designer, which offered better pay than in the UK.
However, the grueling schedule took its toll, and Forsdike eventually lost his job in June due to staff cuts. His follow-up post, which received over 383,000 views, sparked a wider conversation about the 996 work culture, where employees are expected to work from 9am to 9pm, six days a week.
The phenomenon, which has been widely criticized, continues to plague China’s tech sector, despite some companies attempting to reform their practices. The renewed attention has sparked concerns about the long-term effects of burnout on talent retention and business performance.
Forsdike, now based in Harbin, is taking a break from the job market, focusing on creating content on social media. His experience serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of China’s tech industry, where the pursuit of success often comes at a steep personal cost.
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