You check emails before getting out of bed, and by 10 pm, you’re still responding to messages. Sunday evening hits, and you’re already back in your inbox, trying to “get ahead” of Monday’s chaos. Sound familiar? This 24/7 pattern is known as the “infinite workday.” Plop onto that the 9-9-6 work schedule (from nine to nine, six days a week), and today’s 72-hour workweek is becoming boundless. But experts declare that there are ways to break free from infinite workdays and 9-9-6 workweeks.
Infinite Workdays And 9-9-6 Workweeks
More U.S. voices are pushing for companies to adopt the 9-9-6 workweek to beat China in the AI race. A 72-hour workweek–stretching from early morning email checks through late evening meetings and weekends–creates an unsustainable work-life balance. And it’s a surefire recipe for work stress, burnout and the risk of karoshi–death from overwork.
Data from Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index Annual Report is already showing how infinite workdays monopolize employee time, leaving little room for a personal life.
- 40% of employees are up by 6 a.m. already checking their emails, and by 10 p.m., 29% are back into their inboxes.
- 20% of employees actively check their email on weekends, usually before noon on Saturday and Sunday.
- After-hours messages have increased by 15% year-over-year, with employees now receiving an average of 58 messages outside business hours.
- One in three employees says the pace of work has become impossible to keep up with.
As more U.S. tech companies adopt China’s schedule to stay competitive, experts warn it could lead to serious health risks. I spoke with CEO and co-founder of Kickresume, Peter Duris. He told me that his organization’s recent research has shown that work-life balance is a top priority for job seekers, and some generations prioritize it over compensation.
“Hectic 72-hour working weeks aren’t necessary to have a thriving business,” Duris argues “instead, prioritizing employee well-being might be the secret to a successful workplace where people actually want to work hard, do their best and stay with the team long-term.”
I also spoke with Tom Giordano, founding partner of Pond Lehocky Giordano, who informed me there are real legal and workplace cultural risks that need to be acknowledged. The attorney cited health risks as longer workdays can inevitably accelerate burnout. He also points out that studies show accident rates skyrocket with extended hours. Plus, for certain roles, the toll on physical health and the likelihood of workplace injuries also rise.
Breaking From Infinite Workdays And 9-9-6 Workweeks
So how do you break free from infinite workdays and 9-9-6 workweeks and reclaim your evenings, weekends and mental peace? “Just because you can be reached 24/7 doesn’t mean you should be,” declares Ryan Zhang, workplace productivity expert and CEO of Notta.ai.
The ”liquid workforce” counter movement is redefining workplace wellness. It begins with changing the collective delusion that it’s a badge of honor to put your mental and physical health on the line, burn yourself out or sacrifice your life to keep your job. My three experts, Giordano, Duris and Zhang, share tips to help you break free from infinite workdays and 9-9-6 workweeks, prevent burnout and improve work-life balance.
1. Know your legal rights.
Attorney Giordano is adamant that you know your rights, especially regarding overtime, arguing that a 72-hour workweek directly challenges current overtime laws, which require pay for all hours worked over 40 for non-exempt employees.
“As a strong supporter of organized labor, I would encourage workers who believe expectations are unfair or unsustainable to organize collectively,” he asserts. “And if a 9-9-6 model is adopted, employees must raise health and safety concerns promptly through HR or management.”
2. Set clear boundaries.
“The infinite workday isn’t a time management problem, it’s a boundary problem,” Zhang declares. “When everything feels urgent, nothing actually is. We’ve trained ourselves to be reactive instead of strategic, and our mental health is paying the price. The companies drowning in meetings and messages aren’t more productive—they’re just more exhausted.”
Duris also encourages you to set clear boundaries to avoid burnout from overwork. This may look like logging off on time, only working your contracted hours or not answering work emails outside of working hours. He explains it’s not always a negative thing to work overtime. But if your schedule is already busy and hectic, he recommends keeping a clear boundary between work and personal life to prevent burnout.
Zhang urges you to set mental boundaries like refraining from overthinking. “That email doesn’t need to be perfect,” he insists. “That presentation doesn’t need five more tweaks. The infinite workday thrives on perfectionism. Sometimes, good enough really is good enough, and your evening peace of mind is worth more than marginal improvements.”
Zhang advises you to set work-free zones. “Designate specific spaces in your home where work doesn’t exist—no laptops, no work calls no checking emails,” he suggests. “Your bedroom, dining table, or living room becomes a sanctuary where your mind can truly disconnect.”
3. Create ‘transition rituals’.
Zhang states that your brain needs a clear signal that it’s time to shift gears and advocates creating “transition rituals.” Instead of abruptly switching from work mode to personal time, he recommends a 10-minute ritual that signals the end of your workday. This could be writing tomorrow’s top three priorities, taking a walk around the block or simply closing your laptop and saying “work is done.”
4. Take breaks.
Duris encourages you to take a break from your computer, especially when you’re super busy with work. Make sure you take your full lunch break and take a few minutes to stretch and walk around throughout the day to help you stay calm.
Zhang suggests that you take mental breaks to practice productive worry time, like setting aside 10 minutes each evening to write down work concerns. “This gives you the feeling of getting them out of your head,” he notes. “When work thoughts creep in later, remind yourself: ‘I’ve already captured this, I’ll address it during work hours.’”
5. Communicate with your manager and your team.
Zhang urges you to set clear expectations with your team about response times, adding that “urgent” requests can wait until business hours. If you feel overwhelmed with work, Duris says it may be best to talk to your manager and your wider team about your concerns. Your manager may be able to offer support, and your colleagues may be able to take some tasks off your to-do list.
Final Wrap On Infinite Workdays And 9-9-6 Workweeks
Zhang believes companies that figure out how to break the infinite workdays and 9-9-6 workweeks cycle will have happier and more productive employees. “When people can truly disconnect, they return to work refreshed and focused,” he concludes. “The goal isn’t to work less; it’s to work better. And working better means knowing when to stop. The organizations that master this balance first will have a significant competitive advantage—not just in productivity but in attracting and retaining top talent who refuse to sacrifice their well-being for the illusion of constant availability.”