Get-out-of-office message: China’s overtime crackdown

Bosses talk of “996” culture––working from 9am til 9pm, six days a week––while the newly common word neijuan conjures the frustration of an endless, pointless rat race. Now the government is stepping in, encouraging employees to work less and holiday more. Alice Su, The Economist’s senior international correspondent, and Sarah Wu, our China correspondent based in Beijing, ask why the state is intervening—and whether workers will listen. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.