DJI enforces a strict 9 pm off-duty rule to address the issue of excessive overtime culture.

      Credit: DJI

      DJI's new policy requiring employees to leave by 9 pm has recently ignited significant discussion on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Introduced on February 27, the company mandates that workers exit the office by this time, with lights turning off in Shanghai as a strict measure. Previously, DJI had faced backlash for demanding excessive overtime, with key R&D teams often working beyond 11 pm or into the early hours of the morning. Why this is important: DJI has a reputation for its demanding overtime culture within the industry domestically. This policy change aims to enhance its corporate image, protect the well-being of its employees, and improve productivity by decreasing unproductive overtime. Details: On March 9, the hashtag “DJI’s mandatory 9 pm off-duty policy” rapidly gained traction on Weibo, amassing approximately 72.43 million views and 16,000 posts. According to local media outlet Jimu, DJI managers are modeling appropriate behavior by leaving work on time and encouraging staff to comply with the new regulation, which is also monitored by HRBPs (Human Resources Business Partners). At the Shenzhen headquarters, compliance with the policy is primarily enforced through staff presence, while the Shanghai office implements it by turning off the lights, the report stated. The flexible clock-in schedule from 9:00 to 10:30 am remains unchanged, with DJI employees working between 8 to 9.5 hours daily, including meal breaks. With the 9:00 pm closing time, and after subtracting 1.5 hours for lunch and 1 hour for dinner, employees' daily work hours fall within this framework. An anonymous employee from DJI expressed to TechNode that she appreciated the new policy, viewing it as a progressive approach against the excessive working culture prevalent in the tech sector. “It’s progressive, but I’m concerned about performance evaluations. If our workload doesn’t adjust, we might just end up bringing unfinished work home,” she noted. Context: On February 25, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) of China conducted a fair competition symposium involving various companies. Deputy Director Meng Yang engaged in extensive discussions with leaders from Trina Solar, JA Solar, LONGi Green Energy, Alibaba Group, JD.com, BAIC Group, and Mercedes-Benz Group regarding “excessive competition.” The meeting aimed to enhance communication among enterprises, bolster antitrust measures, enforce reviews of fair competition, accelerate the establishment of a unified national market, and assist businesses in overcoming competitive challenges for quality development, as stated by the SAMR.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai. She reports on consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. Connect with her via email: [email protected].