The Harsh Reality of the Job Market in China: A Glimpse into Layoffs and Struggles
Today, April 2nd, 2025, we'll examine the current state of the job market in China. The employment situation is challenging, leading to various unsettling occurrences. We'll explore real-life experiences of individuals navigating layoffs and job searching in this environment.
The Bitter Pill of Layoffs: A Former ByteDance Employee's Account
The Tactics Used to Force Resignation
We'll begin by listening to a video from a former ByteDance employee who was laid off. This individual details the tactics some departments use during layoffs. These practices reveal a disturbing side of corporate management.
The speaker describes a six-month ordeal involving pressure and psychological manipulation. A newly promoted manager started expressing dissatisfaction with their work, using indirect methods to force them out. This included constant criticism, even down to failing to "like" comments in group chats, and questioning their work ethic.
Workplace Bullying and Performance Manipulation
The employee recounts experiencing workplace bullying and constant negativity. They were criticized for being the oldest in the group and not working late like younger colleagues. This led to self-doubt about their abilities and a feeling of pressure to appease the manager.
The situation escalated with a low performance review, despite objective metrics, making them a target. The 360-degree review process was weaponized as a means of manipulation. This individual tried to respond with kindness, hoping to resolve the situation amicably, but the pressure intensified.
Unrealistic Targets and HR Complicity
The manager, after failing to get rid of the employee through low performance ratings, set impossible targets. These targets were accompanied by daily progress reports and constant questioning, amounting to an unacknowledged performance improvement plan (PIP). The HR representative's initial silence followed by a sudden departure further highlighted the situation's unfairness.
The Breaking Point: A Disrespectful Encounter
The employee reached their breaking point when they were reprimanded for resting during lunch due to a headache. Being publicly shamed for sleeping during lunchtime, despite the lack of explicit rules against it, was a devastating experience. This incident triggered physical and mental health issues, including depression-like symptoms. The speaker ultimately attributes their breakdown not to the job itself, but to the toxic management style.
The Final Straw: A False Sense of Empathy
During sick leave, the manager offered to help with compensation, feigning concern. HR then contacted the employee with a severance agreement that disregarded their sick leave rights, leading to a feeling of exploitation. Following their return, the organizational structure was changed, but the pressure persisted with new management using similar tactics, setting unattainable goals and denying support, ultimately leading to their resignation. The speaker concludes that the management's actions were not only ineffective but also detrimental to the company.
The Struggle of a Job Seeker: Ageism and Stagnation in Beijing
The Reality of Being Over 30 and Unemployed
Let's now examine another blogger's experience finding work after being unemployed. This individual, over 30, lacks savings, a partner, a car, or a house. They describe their current state of being jobless for 71 days.
The blogger is a graduate with experience at well-known companies, but has a history of unemployment, often due to layoffs. While receiving compensation, the blogger noted that it's insufficient for living expenses in Beijing. Despite optimizing their resume, they refuse to fabricate qualifications.
Facing Rejection and Unmet Expectations
Many interviews resulted in rejection. The blogger shares experiences, including one where a company was impressed with their skills but cited a lack of industry experience as a barrier. They were also denied their desired salary of 12,000 yuan, even with willingness to negotiate.
Another interview with a state-owned enterprise (SOE) led to encouragement and compliments on their skills, but ultimately no job offer. Feeling demoralized by repeated rejections, they questions whether "good people" are rewarded. This individual has been a single, unemployed, over-30 year old.
Considering a Return Home: A Difficult Decision
The blogger is contemplating returning to their hometown, but is hesitant. While reminiscing about early aspirations, they acknowledge that they never really achieved the success they envisioned. They have limited savings due to frequent job changes.
The Dilemma: Stuck Between Two Worlds
They've applied for jobs back home but face low salaries or unsuitable positions. The thought of relying on their aging parents is also a source of shame. They express feeling stuck between an unaffordable Beijing and an undesirable hometown.
The speaker says that the struggles with this is because they haven't built anything that they can rely on and are starting to doubt the meaning of their life in Beijing. They can't go back to their hometown as the job opportunities are not there and they're trapped.
The Universal Experience of the "Beijing Drifter"
The speaker's story resonates with many "Beijing drifters." While some achieve great success, most are just average people. They find themself at a point where they are now questioning if what they did with their life amounted to anything. Some strong people have been able to push through and gain seniority and earn more, but for most people, they stay stagnant.
The speaker also asks the question of who someone would choose between them, who is an experienced professional in their 30's and a new 20 something graduate of college, and the speaker also believes that that is also the reason why a lot of people choose to go back to their hometown to take the civil service exam.
Conclusion: A Bleak Outlook and the Need for Resilience
The job market for those over 30 is difficult. Returning to their hometown may be difficult as well due to low pay. Returning home is now a reality. These people are not willing to give up the quality of life that they are used to.
The key to moving past these circumstances is resilience and hope.