The '996' work schedule has become a hot topic, with the whole internet defending these internet elites. (A wallpaper essential in the office of a well-known FMCG company) But FMCG practitioners seem quite calm: "It's just 996, our dream is 996." Fan Peng, 28, told the author with a grin: "You don't know, FMCG companies always start work at 8 AM, regardless of season. If the time clock shows past 8:00, it's considered late. From May 1st to October 1st, the company strictly enforces that leaving after 8 PM results in a base salary deduction." What you despise is what we want "With such hard work, your salary must be high, right?" After all, among those opposing 996, more than half are willing to give up high salaries to find a work-life balance. "About 70,000 to 80,000 a year, after all, I'm just a small employee." After his morning meeting, the author accompanied him on market visits. Starting at 9 AM, we got into his Wuling Hongguang and visited 30 stores in a day. At each store, he had to organize shelves or displays, check the company's inventory in the warehouse, restock shelves or freezers, and even put out as much as possible if the store owner didn't object. He also chatted with the owner, put up posters, pull-push stickers, and price tags. Watching Fan Peng work quickly and efficiently, the author checked the time: nearly 15 minutes. This workload, without eating or drinking, excluding travel time, would take about seven hours. "This is the daily task required by the company, and it must be completed. After I leave, colleagues from the supervision department will come to check the market's visual merchandising." The author learned that if a store is found not to have followed the company's visual merchandising requirements, the salesperson responsible for that store would be penalized, with fines ranging from 20 to 50 yuan. Supervision department staff often ride electric bikes to inspect the market, charging twice a day and replacing the battery every year. At noon, the author and Fan Peng had a simple meal of Lanzhou beef noodles and then hurried back into the car. "It's April now, a time when we need to push distribution heavily. It's normal to work until 10 PM or so." (A slogan on a vehicle of a well-known FMCG company) During visits, we had to suggest orders to store owners based on the pre-set daily sales target. If the target wasn't met after visits, we had to return to the company for a 'work report'. Lady Luck didn't favor Fan Peng today. Although it was past 8 PM after visits, sales hadn't reached the target. So the author accompanied Fan Peng back to the company as quickly as possible. At the company, a few men and one older woman were standing around. We could faintly hear a leader encouraging employees: "...You're still young, you must fight. How can you succeed without fighting? Everything costs money—marrying a wife, raising children. We left our hometowns to come here; how can we succeed without earning money? ...Your conditions are much better than ours back then. We used to deliver goods by tricycle every day, and by the end of the day, our clothes were covered in salt stains..." Fan Peng told the author that the company's general manager holds a video conference with all directors at 8:30 PM every night. Directors who haven't met their targets will accompany their direct subordinates to continue terminal visits after the meeting. This FMCG company has maintained leading growth rates in fierce competition, thanks to their 'inverted pyramid' management model: leaders lead cadres, and cadres lead employees. In fact, middle and senior managers work longer hours than frontline salespeople. "By this time, it's usually past 10 PM, and some store owners are ready to close. Our leaders also have a hard time," Fan Peng said. "We do this regardless of wind, frost, rain, or snow." (A general manager of a well-known company leading employees to pull a banner in heavy rain) A well-known international washing group requires employees to handwrite an 'Endeavorer Application', committing to voluntarily work 6 days a week, 12 hours a day, give up all paid annual leave, and work overtime without instructions. Moreover, 'Endeavorers' must work unconditionally during holidays like Spring Festival and National Day, being on call at any time. Who said foreign companies don't require overtime? Go try it. Even clerical staff in the FMCG industry are not spared. A woman from a lesser-known brand said excitedly during an interview last night: "I'm especially happy today because I can still see the sunset after work." The author learned that her company's sales department has over 100 people, but only 3 office staff. Usually, they leave at 8 PM almost every day. If salespeople work overtime, the office staff must also stay. She had planned to have a child last year, but she still doesn't dare to get pregnant because the work is too busy, and the fatigue might affect the baby's development. More importantly, the office is currently staffed by only 3 people; if she got pregnant, she might lose this job. Overtime has become the first unspoken rule in the workplace: No overtime means no fighting spirit, no overtime means no professionalism. But the reactions to overtime vary greatly: an artist who records for 8 hours is called a 'model worker of the new era', the internet's 996 work model is widely criticized, while FMCG's 007 (0 hours off, 0 days off, 7 days a week) is basically taken for granted. (A distributor's new product launch meeting) Sweat for your own bread, eat your own rice. When tired, give yourself a hug, FMCG people. -END-