The "996" Schedule of Working 9am-9pm, 6 Days a Week Comes to Silicon Valley

The grueling "996" work schedule, where employees toil from 9am to 9pm, six days a week, is making waves in Silicon Valley, sparking a heated debate about its origins, implications, and cultural significance. Some commenters point out that the US has a history of exploiting labor, while others see 996 as a manifestation of asceticism or a symptom of a worsening job market that erodes engineers' bargaining power. A tongue-in-cheek remark about the schedule being rebranded from "666" – working from 6am to 6pm, six days a week – adds a layer of dark humor to the discussion, with some users picking up on its biblical connotations. As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that 996 is more than just a scheduling controversy – it's a flashpoint for broader discussions about work culture, labor rights, and the values of the tech industry.

Snapshot generated from the HN discussion