China’s Extended Holiday Sparks Debate: Is 凑假 (Patching Together Leave) Worth the Cost?
BEIJING -China’s upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, spanning a combined five weeks of adjusted work schedules, have ignited a heated debate online. Manynetizens are lamenting the 凑假 (patching together leave) system, highlighting the fact that despite the extended holiday, many will still have to work21 days in September.
The 凑假 system, a common practice in China, involves adjusting work schedules to create longer holidays by strategically placing days off around national holidays. While it allows for longer vacations, it oftencomes at the cost of disrupting regular work schedules and creating a sense of fragmentation in the work week.
This year, the extended holiday period, starting from September 23rd and lasting until October 8th, has been met withmixed reactions. While many are excited about the opportunity for a longer break, others are expressing concerns about the impact on their work and personal lives.
I’m supposed to work 21 days in September, even with the holidays, lamented one user on Weibo, China’s popular microblogging platform. It’s like I’m just getting a longer weekend, not a real break.
Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, The ‘凑假’ system is a double-edged sword. It’s great for long vacations, but it disrupts our normal routines and makes it hard to focuson work.
The debate over 凑假 is not new. For years, critics have argued that the system is inefficient and can negatively impact productivity. They point to the fact that it often leads to a backlog of work before and after the holidays, as well as a decrease in employee morale.
However, proponents of the system argue that it is a necessary compromise to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy longer holidays. They also point out that the system allows for flexibility in scheduling, which can be beneficial for families and individuals with different needs.
The debate over 凑假 highlights a broader issue inChina’s workplace culture: the balance between work and personal life. While the country has made progress in recent years in promoting work-life balance, there is still a strong emphasis on work, and many employees feel pressured to work long hours.
As China continues to develop economically, it is likely that the debateover 凑假 will continue. The government will need to find a way to balance the needs of businesses with the desire of workers for a better work-life balance.
This debate also raises questions about the effectiveness of extended holidays in boosting domestic tourism and consumption. While longer holidays may encourage people to travel, the disruption to work schedules could also lead to a decrease in productivity and economic activity.
Ultimately, the success of the 凑假 system depends on its ability to strike a balance between the needs of businesses and workers. As China’s economy continues to grow and its workforce becomes more sophisticated, it islikely that the system will need to evolve to meet the changing needs of society.
【source】https://www.zhihu.com/question/665410486
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