DJI Enforces Mandatory 9 PM Off-Duty Policy to Curb Overtime Culture
Chinese drone manufacturer DJI has implemented a mandatory policy requiring employees to leave the office by 9 pm, aiming to combat its reputation for excessive overtime. Introduced on February 27, the measure includes forcibly turning off office lights in Shanghai and managerial enforcement in Shenzhen. The initiative follows criticism that core R&D teams frequently worked past 11 pm or into the early morning. This move has sparked significant discussion on Weibo, garnering over 72 million views, reflecting broader societal concerns about work-life balance in China's tech sector. While the standard clock-in time remains flexible between 9:00 and 10:30 am, total daily work hours are capped at 8 to 9.5 hours, including meal breaks. Although some employees welcome the change as a progressive step, others express concern that unchanged workloads may simply shift unpaid labor to their homes. The policy aligns with recent efforts by Chinese regulators, including the State Administration for Market Regulation, to address excessive competition and promote high-quality development among major enterprises. This adjustment is expected to improve DJI’s corporate image and employee health while potentially enhancing efficiency by reducing ineffective presenteeism.
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DJI Enforces Mandatory 9 PM Off-Duty Policy to Curb Overtime Culture
Chinese drone manufacturer DJI has implemented a mandatory policy requiring employees to leave the office by 9 pm, aiming to combat its reputation for excessive overtime. Introduced on February 27, the measure includes forcibly turning off office lights in Shanghai and managerial enforcement in Shenzhen. The initiative follows criticism that core R&D teams frequently worked past 11 pm or into the early morning. This move has sparked significant discussion on Weibo, garnering over 72 million views, reflecting broader societal concerns about work-life balance in China's tech sector. While the standard clock-in time remains flexible between 9:00 and 10:30 am, total daily work hours are capped at 8 to 9.5 hours, including meal breaks. Although some employees welcome the change as a progressive step, others express concern that unchanged workloads may simply shift unpaid labor to their homes. The policy aligns with recent efforts by Chinese regulators, including the State Administration for Market Regulation, to address excessive competition and promote high-quality development among major enterprises. This adjustment is expected to improve DJI’s corporate image and employee health while potentially enhancing efficiency by reducing ineffective presenteeism.
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