PDDs Demanding Work Culture Explained | Generated by AI

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Question: Why do PDD employees work so hard?

Answer:

PDD Holdings (the parent company of Pinduoduo and Temu, often abbreviated as PDD) is known for its intense and demanding work culture, which drives employees to work extremely hard. This stems from several key factors rooted in the company’s aggressive growth strategy and internal practices.

Intense Work Schedules

PDD has been associated with work hours exceeding the infamous Chinese tech “996” schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week, totaling about 72 hours). Reports describe it as “hyper-aggressive,” sometimes jokingly referred to as “9127” (9 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week) or “11-11-6” (11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 6 days a week). Employees in some departments reportedly work 300+ hours per month, with minimal days off (e.g., only 2 per month in certain periods). This is presented as a “hardcore mode” to fuel rapid expansion, especially during high-growth phases like Temu’s international launch.

Company Culture and Management Philosophy

The culture emphasizes extreme efficiency, results-orientation, and high pressure. PDD prioritizes “profit-driven” individuals who accept intense demands and show “absolute obedience.” Management is flat with few layers, promoting quick execution but also constant high-stakes performance. Long hours are not just tolerated but monitored and encouraged—employees reportedly stay late even after finishing tasks to meet expectations. This creates a norm where overwork is ingrained, with little emphasis on work-life balance (Glassdoor ratings often highlight poor balance, around 2.0/5).

Competitive Industry and Growth Ambitions

In China’s cutthroat e-commerce sector, PDD’s rise from startup to trillion-dollar scale relies on outpacing rivals like Alibaba and JD.com. Aggressive marketing (e.g., billions spent on Temu) and innovation require relentless effort. Founders and leaders view hard work as essential for success, aligning with broader Chinese tech norms where overwork was once praised as a “blessing” by figures like Jack Ma.

Incentives and Trade-offs

High salaries (above market, especially for fresh graduates) and benefits attract talent willing to endure the intensity. However, this comes with high turnover and health risks—past controversies include employee deaths linked to overwork (e.g., a 22-year-old collapsing after late hours in 2020-2021), sparking public outrage and debates on “996” culture.

While China has cracked down on extreme overtime (ruling “996” illegal in some contexts), reports as recent as 2023-2025 indicate PDD’s culture remains demanding, though the company denies mandatory excessive hours and claims some roles involve fewer than 8 hours daily.

Overall, employees work hard due to a combination of explicit/implicit expectations, competitive pressure, and a performance-driven environment that rewards output over balance.

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