What's happened
Qu Jing, a senior executive at Baidu, has been fired after posting videos on Douyin that criticized employees and glorified a culture of overwork. The videos sparked public outcry, leading to her apology on WeChat. Baidu confirmed her departure on May 10, 2024.
Why it matters
This event is significant as it highlights the ongoing issues related to work culture in China's tech industry. The public backlash against Qu Jing's comments underscores the growing discontent among employees regarding extreme work expectations. This incident may prompt other companies to re-evaluate their work culture and management practices, potentially leading to broader changes in the industry.
What the papers say
According to the NY Post, Qu Jing was seen in videos dismissing employees' personal issues and emphasizing results over well-being. The South China Morning Post reported that Baidu's internal system confirmed her departure, with a senior executive condemning damaging work practices. The Independent highlighted the swift backlash on social media and Qu's subsequent apology, where she clarified that her views did not represent Baidu's stance. Business Insider UK noted that Qu's videos included threats to employees who disagreed with her management style, further fueling the controversy.
How we got here
Qu Jing's controversial videos were posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, over the May Day holiday period. In these videos, she criticized employees for not meeting her extreme work expectations and dismissed their personal issues. The backlash was immediate, with many criticizing her lack of empathy and glorification of a toxic work culture. Qu's comments drew attention to the broader issue of overwork in China's tech industry, which has been a topic of concern for years.
Common question
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Baidu, Inc. is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in Internet-related services and products and artificial intelligence, headquartered in Beijing's Haidian District. It is one of the largest AI and internet companies in the world.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.