A growing trend has emerged in China where unemployed individuals seek solace in “fake work” arrangements, renting office spaces and posing as bosses to avoid the social stigma of unemployment. For as little as 30 yuan (over INR 350) per day, these services provide a temporary shelter for those reluctant to disclose their unemployment status to family members, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). are
A viral video from northern China’s Hebei province showcased a workspace rental service offering a daily rate of 29.9 yuan, with access from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch included, the report said. is included “For 29.9 yuan per day, you can ‘work’ from 10am to 5pm, including lunch,” the promotion said.
Another service, charging 50 yuan (about US$7), allows individuals to sit in a leather chair and pose as the “boss” for photos intended to reassure family members. The owner of the unused office space explained the motivation behind the idea: “Many large companies are laying off workers. I had a spare office and thought it could provide a place for the unemployed to live and connect.
The “pretend to work” concept has attracted significant attention on mainland social media, with discussions garnering over 100 million views. Ideas are mixed; While some users support the idea as a way to ease the psychological burden of unemployment, others criticize it as a form of escapism that can hinder real job-finding efforts.
Unemployment is a pressing issue in China, especially among the youth. In June 2023, the unemployment rate for persons aged 16 to 24 reached a record high of 21.3 percent, prompting the government to halt the release of unemployment statistics. Later, officials revised unemployment figures excluding students, resulting in a drop to 16.1 percent by November 2023.
Personal stories of individuals hiding their unemployment status are emerging across the country. Jiawei, a former e-commerce worker from Hangzhou, shared his experience after losing his job and moving back in with his parents. “Unemployment is stressful, but I didn’t want to pass that negativity onto my family,” he said, revealing that he maintained his old work routine to avoid arousing suspicion.
Zhang Yong, a professor of social work at Wuhan University of Science and Technology, describes the trend of “pretending to work” as a response to social pressure. “Society puts a lot of pressure on people to succeed, and young adults sometimes have high expectations for their jobs. The sudden shock of losing a job can lead to depression,” she explained.
