Going to an office and pretending to work: A business that's booming in China
a year ago
- #unemployment
- #fake-jobs
- #China
- Chinese citizens rent fake office spaces to pretend they are employed, avoiding questions about their job status.
- Services cost between 30-50 yuan ($4-$7) per day, offering desks, Wi-Fi, and simulated work environments, including fake tasks and supervision.
- Zonghua, a former finance worker, pays 400 yuan ($55) monthly to maintain the illusion of employment for her family.
- Urban youth unemployment in China is high (16.5% for ages 16-24, 7.2% for 25-29), driving demand for such services.
- The trend is popular on Xiaohongshu (Chinese Instagram), sparking debates on whether it relieves stress or delays job market entry.
- Some businesses operate informally via WeChat, while others repurpose underused office spaces as coworking hubs.
- Participants include freelancers, content creators, and even entrepreneurs exploring new job opportunities.