American Tech Companies Force 72-Hour Work Weeks on Dutch Professionals
Amsterdam, Monday, 2 February 2026.
Silicon Valley’s adoption of the extreme 996 work schedule—12 hours daily, six days weekly—is pressuring Dutch tech workers who traditionally value work-life balance. Originally banned in China after worker deaths, this grueling system now dominates American AI startups, with some demanding 70-hour weeks. One San Francisco developer questions if the sacrifice is temporary or permanent, while experts warn of chronic stress damage. Dutch professionals face a stark choice: adapt to these punishing schedules or risk losing competitive opportunities as local companies may follow suit to compete globally.
Silicon Valley’s Extreme Work Culture Spreads
The 996 work schedule is gaining significant traction in Silicon Valley as of February 1, 2026, forcing tech workers to endure 12-hour days, six days per week [2]. This punishing system originated in Chinese tech companies like ByteDance and JD.com [1], but was officially banned in China in 2021 due to its association with worker deaths [2]. American AI startups have increasingly adopted this extreme work culture since 2025, with some companies now advertising 70-hour workweeks [1][2]. The shift represents a dramatic departure from traditional work-life balance expectations, as venture capitalist Martin Mignot from Index Ventures declared: “Forget 9 to 5, 996 is the new startup standard” [2].
Dutch Workers Face Unprecedented Pressure
Dutch tech professionals find themselves caught in an increasingly difficult position as American companies impose these extreme schedules. While the 996 system has not yet become as prevalent in the Netherlands despite concerns about part-time work and lagging productivity [1], the pressure is mounting for Dutch workers to adapt or risk being left behind. CBS statistics expert Peter Hein van Mulligen notes that Dutch workers perform above average when effectiveness is factored in alongside hours worked [1], suggesting that the country’s traditional approach to work-life balance has historically delivered strong results. However, this competitive advantage may be under threat as global tech companies demand conformity to the new extreme work standards.
Health Risks and Human Cost
The human toll of the 996 schedule has become increasingly apparent through recent scientific research. A Korean study conducted in May 2025 revealed that working over 52 hours per week causes measurable changes in brain regions responsible for executive functions and emotion regulation [2]. UC Berkeley Professor Daniela Kaufer warns about the distinction between beneficial acute stress and harmful chronic stress, categorizing the 996 schedule as falling “squarely in the chronic category” [2]. Sarah, a developer working in San Francisco, captures the uncertainty many face: “We invest this time thinking it won’t be like this forever. Or is that just a dream?” [2]. The pressure is so intense that one AI startup grew from 60 to 200 employees in a single year, with only three of those employees being parents [2].
The AI Factor and Future Implications
The rise of artificial intelligence technology is being used to justify these extreme work demands, with employers leveraging AI capabilities as justification for layoffs and increased pressure on remaining workers [1]. Scale AI’s Lucy Guo bluntly told workers seeking work-life balance: “Then you might be in the wrong job” [2]. This harsh reality reflects a broader shift in Silicon Valley culture, where Margaret O’Mara noted that tech companies in California have always functioned as “sweatshops internally” despite their outwardly progressive appearance [1]. The trend gained additional momentum after Elon Musk announced stricter work expectations following his acquisition of X [1]. For Dutch tech professionals, the choice is becoming stark: embrace these punishing schedules or risk losing competitive opportunities as the global tech industry increasingly normalizes extreme work demands.