Unemployed in China ‘pretend to work’ in rented offices to avoid social stigma
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Unemployed in China ‘pretend to work’ in rented offices to avoid social stigma

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A video from China’s Hebei region went viral showing an ad for an office that rents out workplaces to the unemployed for 29.9 yuan per day.

The purpose of this trend was to provide a temporary escape for those who hesitate to disclose unemployment to their family members. (Representative image)

The purpose of this trend was to provide a temporary escape for those who hesitate to disclose unemployment to their family members. (Representative image)

Redundancies are on the rise worldwide, affecting people not only financially but also psychologically and emotionally. In response to rising layoffs, one person in China started a unique trend for as little as 30 yuan (over 150 INR) that allowed the unemployed to “pretend to work” by renting office space and posing as managers. The purpose of this trend was to provide a temporary escape to those who hesitate to disclose unemployment to their family members.

A video from the Hebei region of China went viral advertising an office that rents out workplaces to the unemployed for 29.9 yuan per day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including lunch. Another similar post caught people’s attention and offered the opportunity to sit in a leather chair and act as a “boss” for photos in exchange for 50 yuan.

The person, who had a vacant office, explained that, with many large companies laying off employees, he thought this could provide a place for the unemployed to stop and connect. The concept of “pretending to work” has divided the internet, with people having different perspectives. Some users claim it helps alleviate the psychological toll of unemployment, while others criticize it as escapism that can delay efforts to find a new job.

Jiawei, a former e-commerce employee in Hangzhou, recounted his experience of losing his job and returning to his parents. He said, “Being unemployed is stressful, but I didn’t want to pass that negativity on to my family,” suggesting that he continued to work according to his previous schedule to avoid arousing suspicion.

According to Zhang Yong, a professor of social work at Wuhan University of Science and Technology, the tendency to “pretend to work” is a reaction to social pressures. “Society puts a lot of pressure on people to succeed, and sometimes young adults decide their job. Too high expectations The sudden shock of losing a job can lead to depression,” he explained.

Unemployment is a big issue in China, especially among the youth. According to the reports, the unemployment rate for the 16-24 age group reached a record high of 21.3 percent in June 2023, prompting the government to stop publishing unemployment data for months.

News viral Unemployed in China ‘pretend to work’ in rented offices to avoid social stigma