Former Baidu Vice President, Qu Jing, continues to promote a highly demanding corporate culture, despite substantial backlash. This intense approach is said to drive efficiency and productivity but has attracted criticism from younger employees. The rising discontent has raised serious debates about the necessity for a work-life balance within Baidu.
Qu Jing’s support for such a rigorous work environment even extends to her Douyin videos, where she unabashedly admonishes an employee refusing a work-related trip due to Covid-19. Her blatant disregard for the severity of the pandemic has amplified the controversy surrounding her leadership style and work ethics.
The ex-Baidu executive is also open about her work affecting her personal and family life. Qu admits that work often takes precedence in her life, even to the extent of missing her sons’ significant occasions.
Experiencing backlash: Qu Jing’s demanding work philosophy
Yet, she maintains that balance is possible and continues to participate actively in her children’s lives. This admission has sparked both commendation and criticism from the public, highlighting the complexity of balancing work and personal life in modern society.
Qu’s firm insistence on PR employees dedicating their weekends to work has drawn considerable dissatisfaction. Her uncompromising belief of a forceful, friction-filled work environment led to her departure from Baidu and amplified the discussion around work-life balance.
The backlash against Qu’s work philosophy extended to digital platforms such as Douyin and Weibo. Widespread criticism was directed towards both Baidu and Qu for endorsing an unhealthy work environment. As a result, calls for significant changes within the tech industry have emerged, emphasizing the need to prioritize employee wellbeing.
These reactions reflect a wider discontent among China’s younger workforce towards a culture of intense labor and competition. The situation raises an important question regarding the balance between a competitive work environment and employee wellbeing, and whether such a workaholic culture boosts productivity or causes harm.
