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May 16, 2024

Baidu Media Executive Quits After Reviving Toxic Work Culture Debate

Baidu’s media relations chief, Qu Jing, recently resigned after posting a series of videos endorsing a 24/7 work culture and making light of staff well-being. By: K Dass.

Beijing - Qu Jing stepped down on May 9, according to people familiar with the matter, after posting at least four videos in which she talked about keeping her phone on 24-7 and warned subordinates to toe the line. “I’m not your mother-in-law,” she said in one of the clips she posted to Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.

Her comments reignited the debate over China’s tech industry’s relentless “996” culture. The term “996” refers to the practice of demanding that employees work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for six days a week. Despite Beijing’s warnings against excessive work hours, this practice persists, particularly during economic downturns when jobs are scarce.

Her comments came at a time when many young people in China are pushing back against a culture of competition and grueling hours in the workplace.

Qu had also been criticised for other comments she made in the series of short videos on Douyin that have since been removed.

In the series, she threatened to ruin the careers of employees who sent hundreds of complaint letters against her to the office, by ensuring they could not find another job in the industry.

She also criticised an employee who refused to go on a 50-day business trip during the COVID-19 pandemic — a time when China severely restricted movement and required weeks of quarantine for travelers.

While some criticised Qu Jing’s remarks, others saw them as a candid reflection of an industry facing growth challenges. Baidu has not yet responded to the situation.

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