As described by Wired magazine, in the Silicon Valley, the model 996 is gaining popularity – a work system known from China from 9.00 to 21.00 for six days a week. Startups dealing with artificial intelligence, such as Rilla or Fella & Delilah, openly promote him as an element of organizational culture. In return, they offer employees increases and greater shares in the company.
Adrian Kinnersley, an entrepreneur from the recruitment industry, quoted by Wired, admits that he works with companies that already at the preselectic stage of candidates require readiness to work in 996 mode. In some advertisements, it is directly written about an enthusiastic attitude to the 70-hour work week.
Will Gao from Rilla explains: The generation with raised on stories about Steva Jobsa and Bill Gates. They believe that if they want to create something great, they must sacrifice everything.
Is this the end of dreams about work-life balance?
Model 996 has been controversial for years. In China, he was an informal standard in such companies as Alibaba, Huawei or Tencent, but in August 2021 he was officially recognized by the China Court China as illegal. Critics talk about professional burning, deaths from overwork and a system that exploits people in the name of growth. Meanwhile, during an intensive race on the AI market, companies from Silicon Valley adapt to this formula.
This phrase is difficult to consider as an accident. This is a reaction to pressure: growing competition, growing investors' expectations and a race for dominance in a new world driven by language models and automation. However, the phenomenon raises the question about which way the labor market is going.
– I would be careful with the transfer of trends from the technology industry to the entire labor market – says Andrzej Kubisiak, deputy director of the Polish Economic Institute. – This is a very specific sector, functioning in the realities of the global technology race. It is difficult to compare it with other industries, because it is ruled by completely different mechanisms – he emphasizes.
The expert emphasizes that in countries such as China, the influence of the state on the development of the AI sector is much greater than in Europe: – Technology companies often use subsidies and public grants, which gives them a privileged starting position. Such a model – based on the fight for performance and quick achievement – is difficult to translate into the realities of the capitalist market economy.
– Toxic culture of the Silicon Valley – lack of balance, pursuit of growth, dehumanization – is increasingly rejected – comments Zachariah George, Launch partner Africa Ventures. – It reminds me of the atmosphere from Wall Street from years ago. In Africa I see the opposite direction: looking for inspiration in the Middle East and Asia (excluding China), but with greater respect for balance. If something is to accept, it is rather a four -day work week with longer hours from Monday to Thursday – he assesses.
Poland is testing a shorter work week
Since July, recruitment has been ongoing for a government pilot program, under which companies can implement a four -day work week and receive funding for this purpose. The assumption is simple: 35 hours of work a week, spread over four days, without losing your salary. Applications are accepted until mid -September, and the experiment itself will last throughout 2026.
As the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy emphasizes, the goal is to check how the change in work organization affects the efficiency, health and involvement of employees. In other countries – such as Iceland, Belgium or Portugal – similar pilotes brought positive results. Companies reported higher productivity, smaller rotations and greater satisfaction of teams.
– I think that such pilotes are very much needed, because they respond to Makrotrend, which not only Poland is facing – says Andrzej Kubisiak. – Until now, this type of programs have been implemented mainly in countries with a completely different structure of the economy than ours.
The expert emphasizes that in Poland a much larger percentage of employees is employed in industry, construction or agriculture. We also have many working in a system depending on the so -called man -hours. In his opinion, the results of pilotes conducted in wealthier countries with a completely different employment structure do not have to automatically prove themselves on our market.
Demographics can be a brake of change
The demographic problem can mean difficulty shortening working time. – The fewer people on the labor market, the harder it is to introduce the shorter work week, because it generates additional vacancies, and thus more recruitment needs, because we need more people to fill the same pool of hours – emphasizes Andrzej Kubisiak.
Example? In a factory with a shift system, three people working eight hours fill the day. If the working day is shortened to six hours, four employees are already needed.
– Poland is a country that will be, next to South Korea, aged almost the fastest, our fertility rates are today one of the lowest in the OECD ranking. The process of depopulation and aging of society will affect us strongly – adds the expert.
Kubisiak estimates that Poland will probably also fit into the global trend of shortening working time, although he will not be its leader. – We have many barriers that can slow down this process. All the more reliable analyzes are needed, which will show where the biggest restrictions lie and how to address them effectively.
AI and the labor market. Promises without coverage
The paradox of the modern world of work lies in the fact that the more there is about AI, which is to work for us, the more often those who create it work for two.
– Most studies on the impact of AI tools on work efficiency are still at a very early stage. For now, we are trying to determine whether they actually translate into an increase in performance – and if so, to what extent – explains Andrzej Kubisiak. In his opinion, the formulation of forecasts that technology will speed up the process of shortening the working week in developed economies is today a wishful thinking rather than facts based on facts.
The expert reminds that historically working time was shortened for two reasons: political decisions, often inspired by trade unions, and the development of technology, which increased performance and allowed reorganization of processes.
– An increase in productivity can work in two directions: increase companies' profits or create space to shorten the working week. The question is: which of these paths will turn out to be stronger?
