China’s Supreme People's Court says a common schedule that requires people to work 12 hours a day for six days a week is illegal, reports NPR. One case highlighted in the high court's recent decision revolves around a man named Zhang. He was hired by a courier company last summer, working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week — the schedule that has become infamous under the shorthand "996" label.

Under Chinese law, monthly overtime totals are limited to 36 hours. Zhang refused to work illegal amounts of overtime, as dictated by his schedule, and was fired. The high court affirmed that decision last week, saying that Zhang had been fired illegally and that the company's work policies run afoul of the law. The ruling presents a prominent rebuke to the 996 schedule, which in recent years has sparked online protests and criticism.