The glorification of hustle culture in Silicon Valley has reached new heights as some startups embrace extreme work schedules. Companies like AI education firm Arrowster, recruitment unicorn Mercor, and Y Combinator-backed Corgi are mandating six and seven-day work weeks, challenging the traditional notion of work-life balance.
The New Breed of Startups
Arrowster’s CEO Kenneth Chong defended the demanding schedule, comparing it to an athlete’s intense training regimen. “Not everyone wants to be an athlete. And if you do, then you chose that life,” he said. The five-person company operates with a non-traditional schedule, with employees working in intense sessions followed by naps rather than adhering to a standard Monday-to-Friday work week.
Corgi, another Y Combinator-backed startup, also embraces the all-in schedule. “We work seven days a week in our SF office because we believe in pushing boundaries and getting things done,” wrote Corgi’s Josh Jung in a LinkedIn update. The insurance startup sees the demanding work week as essential to its rapid growth and innovation.
Precedents and Implications
This extreme work culture isn’t unique to Silicon Valley. China’s tech giants have long practiced the “996” culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week), and Greece recently introduced a six-day work week for certain industries. The practice has both supporters and critics, with some arguing it fuels innovation while others warn of burnout and legal implications.
Legal and Cultural Considerations
Employment law experts note that while there are no federal laws capping work hours in the U.S., extreme schedules could lead to issues with fair labor practices, particularly if they discriminate against older workers or those with families. “It’s not the amount of hours that matters, but rather the quality,” said labor law professor Orly Lobel.
As the tech industry continues to push boundaries, the debate around work culture and its long-term sustainability remains. While some founders see the current AI boom as a unique moment requiring intense focus, others question the wisdom of perpetuating a culture that blurs the lines between work and personal life.
The Future of Work
The irony of AI companies pushing for longer work weeks while hyping AI’s potential to reduce working hours hasn’t gone unnoticed. As JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon predicted, advancements in technology could lead to shorter work weeks in the future. However, Arrowster’s Chong noted that realizing this future requires intense effort from AI companies themselves.
