The Chinese are incredibly hardworking — almost work-obsessed. Yet, they give Saturdays and Sundays off. After lunch, they even allow a one-hour nap break. Not only that, they provide special chairs and create an environment to ensure everyone can rest well.
Why...?
Don’t they understand that making employees work 10 to 12 hours a day for 6 days a week will increase output?
I once asked a Chinese person this very question.
He replied:
“If you make someone work 12 to 14 hours a day for 6 days a week, you’ll only raise a beast of burden.
But if you want quality — you have to raise a human.
And to do that, you must stimulate their brain with variety and give them proper rest. That’s how you get creative output.”
“If your company’s work is the work of a beast — meaning it requires no intelligence, just the ability to carry loads — then go ahead, make them work 7 days a week. When one can’t carry the load anymore, throw them away and get another.”
“But if intelligence is required, then you must give them two days off, a nap after lunch, paid vacations, and everything else that nurtures a human mind.”
