https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-authorities-say-overtime-996-policy-is-illegal-2021-08-27/ Welcome to the Reuters.com BETA. Read our Editor's note on how we're helping professionals make smart decisions. Read more Skip to main content * World * Business * Legal * Markets * More [ ] Sign In Register Menu August 27, 20218:57 AM UTCLast Updated ago China Chinese authorities say overtime '996' policy is illegal Reuters * * * * * 2 minute read SHANGHAI, Aug 27 (Reuters) - China's Supreme People's Court said the overtime practice of "996", working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, is illegal, taking aim at the controversial policy that is common among many Chinese technology firms. China's top court and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Thursday published guidelines and examples on what constituted as overtime work, saying they were focusing on the issue as it had attracted widespread attention recently. While the authorities used a case involving a parcel delivery company to explain why "996" was illegal, working such hours had become a badge of honour for some Chinese companies and employees. People wearing face masks commute in a subway station during morning rush hour, following the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19) outbreak, in Beijing, China January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo A man talks on a mobile phone as he looks at the view of the Shanghai skyline, September 4, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria People wearing face masks commute in a subway station during morning rush hour, following the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19) outbreak, in Beijing, China January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo 1/2 A man talks on a mobile phone as he looks at the view of the Shanghai skyline, September 4, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Read More Silicon Valley heavyweights such as Sequoia Capital's Mike Moritz have highlighted it as a competitive advantage the country had over the United States. But a backlash surfaced in 2019, prompting a public debate about work hours in China's tech industry that has continued. Last month, TikTok owner ByteDance on Friday said that it would formally end its weekend overtime policy from Aug. 1, two weeks after its short-video rival Kuaishou (1024.HK) announced a similar decision. read more The court and ministry's criticism of "996" also comes amid a wide ranging Beijing-led regulatory crackdown on country's technology giants that has targeted issues from monopolistic behaviour to consumer rights. Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Michael Perry Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. More from Reuters Sign up for our newsletter Subscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox. 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