“Crunch” or “crunch culture” describes a form of work culture in companies which relies on the massive use of (mostly unpaid) overtime during a period of several months to achieve the company’s goals. Employees often also work late into the night or the early hours of the morning and at weekends. Psychological pressure, unrealistic deadlines, or false promises are considered cultural practices, which can lead to burnout and other symptoms among employees in combination with emotional and physical stress.