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Currently, an engaging entertainment pick is a period drama depicting Manhattan's elite in the Gilded Age. A particular plot casually mentions steelworkers demanding better conditions for the concept of “888”: eight-hour periods dedicated to work, sleep, and leisure.

This concept was far from revolutionary during that period. The slogan, attributed to activist Robert Owen, dates back to 1817. Even earlier, a 16th-century law capped workers in the New World to eight-hour days.

What might Owen or a Spanish monarch react to “996”? This concept refers to being on the job from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week – totaling 72 hours of intense work. First seen in the Chinese tech industry, 996 was once described as a “blessing” by an influential entrepreneur. However, laborers pushed back, mobilizing online and even winning court cases against employers.

Currently, 996 is back – and it probably remained in practice. Evidence suggests that employees in different fields are required to work 12-hour days. Among startups, adhering to the 996 model is seen as a way to get ahead. Recruitment posts openly require absurdly long hours and suggest that candidates need to be thrilled by the idea. Hiring managers receive orders that an openness to work 72-hour weeks is absolutely required.

A media outlet proclaimed that grindcore culture is making a comeback and more intense than before. An entrepreneur described the philosophy as: “No drinking, no drugs, 996, lift heavy, run far, marry early, track sleep, eat steak and eggs.” One more shared about often being through the weekend and achieving greatness late into the night.

Many people find it confusing about this shift. Didn't we collectively moved away with overwork? Recent successes from reduced-hour experiments prove that almost every participating companies chose to continue the new schedule. Considering other nations, balanced labor practices that harmonize family, community, life and work don't always hurt output and can create more content and well-rounded people.

For instance of the Netherlands, where the average workweek is around 32 hours. Even with shorter hours, this state remains economically outperforming other economies and stands fifth in the most recent World Happiness Report.

Moreover, discussions abound of growing work-agnosticism, notably in youth. Studies organized by major firms showed that personal time was listed as the top priority in choosing an employer. For the first time, this aspect outranked compensation in worker preferences.

Then why are we seeing fresh, extreme embrace of grueling schedules? A couple of ideas could account for this phenomenon. Initially, it might represent the final effort of a outdated belief – a final flare-up prior to its end. On the other hand points to current findings indicating that excessive work can cause mental alterations. Evidence find that people who work too much show significant changes in areas of the brain linked to executive function and emotional regulation. Considering certain well-known industry personalities, this explanation seems plausible. Only individuals with such brain changes could think that such a schedule are healthy or productive.

Because industry insiders often love new ideas, it's possible their overworked selves could be persuaded that grueling hours are old hat with creative options. But what would be accepted? People imagine three-day weeks, which is close to an economist's idealized 15-hour workweek. Alternate models feature a set proportion of meetings to breaks, or dedicating limited office hours and longer periods on personal pursuits. Perhaps with a catchy name and claims that it boosts longevity, such concepts could become the next big trend in high-pressure sectors.