Beijing, China – The head of public relations at Chinese search giant Baidu has sparked controversy after posting videos on social media that were viewed as demeaning towards staff, shining a light on the harsh workplace practices in China’s tech sector. In the videos, Baidu vice-president Qu Jing threatened employees, demanding extreme dedication and long hours, even suggesting that she prioritized work over her own family.
Qu Jing posted the videos on Douyin, China’s equivalent of TikTok, with the intention of showcasing how social media could be used to promote Baidu. However, the videos instead triggered backlash from critics, igniting a discussion on the toxic work environment within Chinese tech companies.
The videos drew significant attention on various social media platforms, with some users expressing concerns about the lack of compassion in a company that demands such intense commitment from its employees. It was reported that Qu Jing is no longer with the company, although Baidu has yet to comment on the situation.
This incident has raised renewed concerns about the demanding working conditions in the tech industry, where the “996” culture (working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week) is prevalent. Despite some efforts to improve working conditions following governmental intervention in 2021, reports indicate that employees like Qu Jing still expect their staff to work long hours without breaks.
In the midst of these controversies, Baidu has been struggling to revamp its business model in the face of stiff competition and financial challenges. As the company continues to emphasize artificial intelligence in its strategy, the public relations crisis involving Qu Jing serves as a reminder of the ongoing issues within the company and the tech industry at large.