Amid a storm of controversy, a Chinese tech executive finds herself at the center of public outrage after making contentious remarks endorsing a toxic workplace culture. Qu Jing, the former vice president and head of communications at Baidu, China’s equivalent of Google, faced backlash for her comments, which struck a nerve with young workers tired of grueling work conditions.
In a series of videos posted on Douyin, China’s TikTok counterpart, Qu defended her stringent management style and high demands on her team. Her remarks included scolding an employee for refusing a business trip during the Covid-19 pandemic and boasting about her work ethic as a working mother, even admitting to missing her son’s birthday due to work commitments.
The videos sparked widespread criticism, leading to Qu’s dismissal from Baidu. The incident triggered debates on social media platforms like Douyin and Weibo, with many condemning Qu and Baidu for promoting a toxic work environment. Analysts highlighted the lack of empathy in Qu’s remarks, striking a chord with employees facing similar situations in their workplaces.
This controversy reflects broader concerns among Chinese workers about excessive overwork and cutthroat competitiveness, particularly in the tech industry. Jack Ma’s endorsement of the “996” work culture faced similar backlash in 2019, prompting a reevaluation of the workplace dynamics. As China’s economy faces challenges, the conflict between employee well-being and corporate demands becomes increasingly pronounced.
Qu eventually issued an apology, acknowledging the inappropriate nature of her remarks and distancing herself from Baidu’s values. However, the incident underscores deeper issues within Chinese corporate culture, including the prevalence of aggressive management styles imported from companies like Huawei, where Qu previously worked.
