PR Executive Leaves Baidu Following Controversial Comments on Overwork

The recent departure of Baidu’s head of communications, Qu Jing, has sparked controversy and debate over the culture of overwork in Chinese technology companies. Qu faced public outcry after making comments in a series of videos that were seen as glorifying a culture of long working hours and lack of empathy towards employees.

In the videos, Qu implied that she was not concerned about her employees’ well-being, stating that she was “not their mom” and only cared about results. This led to swift backlash on social media platforms, with many criticizing her lack of empathy.

Following the public outcry, Qu reportedly left her position at Baidu, with internal sources confirming her departure. She issued an apology on her private WeChat account, acknowledging the inappropriate nature of her comments and the harm they caused to the company’s image.

Qu’s comments come at a time when many young people in China are pushing back against a culture of competition and grueling work hours. Chinese technology firms have long been criticized for their demanding work culture, with debates over the “996” work schedule gaining attention in recent years.

The incident involving Qu highlights the growing concerns over work-life balance and employee well-being in the tech industry. As companies face increasing scrutiny over their treatment of employees, the departure of Qu serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a healthy and supportive work environment.