Whether you are traveling to Hong Kong for business or pleasure, you will need to know that business hours in Hong Kong are not as straightforward as in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia.
While office clerks typically work from 9 a.m. M. At 6 p. M. (Or later, depending on the role of the employee in the company), the stores operate on an almost random schedule. Still, most stores will stay open between 10 am and 7 pm, although there are many business districts that stay open much later.
In addition, office workers in this affluent metropolis often have to work half a day on Saturdays, usually from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., although the government is trying to eliminate this business practice to reduce stress on workers. employees by allowing a traditional two-day weekend in the west. In fact, since new legislation was passed in 2006, most government offices are closed on Saturdays.
Standard and varied business hours
Whether you are in Hong Kong on a work visa or have established your permanent residence in this city, you will have to adapt to the business hours associated with offices and shops. While standard business hours maintain a rigid 9 a.m. M. At 6 p. M., Many employees, especially those in managerial roles, will have to stay late.
Similarly, shops and other service industry establishments operate on a standard schedule from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., although many of Hong Kong’s shopping districts and boutiques will remain open even later until 10 or 11 p.m.
In Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mongkok expect stores to stay open until 10 p.m., with Wan Chai and Western District stores operating later as well. On the other hand, the markets in Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei often don’t start operating until 3 p.m. and they don’t turn off the lights until 11 p.m.
The six-day workweek and vacation schedule
Although the Hong Kong government is trying to stop working on Saturdays (although traditionally it is only for half a day), many companies still practice a six-day work week, expecting employees to report from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. of the year, except for holidays in the city.
Employees in Hong Kong are entitled to 12 paid holidays and up to 14 paid holidays, depending on how long the individual has worked at your company. However, these holidays are city-wide, which means that many shops and businesses will also be closed for the entire day.
Public holidays in Hong Kong for 2017 included the day after New Year’s Day on January 2, the Lunar New Year between January 28 and 30, the Ching Ming Festival on April 4, Good Friday on January 14. April, Holy Saturday on April 15, Easter Monday on April 17, Labor Day on May 1, Buddha’s birthday on May 3, the Dragon Boat Festival on May 30, Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, the day after National Day on October 2, the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival on October 5, Chung Yeung Festival on October 28, Christmas on December 25 and Boxing Day on December 26.
