I don't know what tech companies you worked for, but when I was working for a software company, I was averaging 45 hours in a client IT position, and all the software devs/engineers were definitely working at least 55-60 hours. And that was during normal periods: things definitely went into crunch mode around version releases and client go-lives. As far as I can tell, this is true across the broader industry.
That's the expectation but apparently according to scientists, and easy to verify empirically, human cognitive levels decline after some four to six hours of deep focus depending on individuals and unique situations. So the ones grinding for 60 hrs all the time basically don't get anything more or better done. It's just time sheet theater.
Crunch can be an emergency situation kind of thing but that's not sustainable and all and needs its own recovery.
The point wasn't that this work culture was good, but rather it doesn't make sense to single out China when it's endemic to the tech industry worldwide.
I don't know what tech companies you worked for, but when I was working for a software company, I was averaging 45 hours in a client IT position, and all the software devs/engineers were definitely working at least 55-60 hours. And that was during normal periods: things definitely went into crunch mode around version releases and client go-lives. As far as I can tell, this is true across the broader industry.
Sounds insane. Would you say that was useful work for some broader goal, or was it just about money? I could not imagine working like that.
That's the expectation but apparently according to scientists, and easy to verify empirically, human cognitive levels decline after some four to six hours of deep focus depending on individuals and unique situations. So the ones grinding for 60 hrs all the time basically don't get anything more or better done. It's just time sheet theater.
Crunch can be an emergency situation kind of thing but that's not sustainable and all and needs its own recovery.
The point wasn't that this work culture was good, but rather it doesn't make sense to single out China when it's endemic to the tech industry worldwide.