In China's rapidly shifting economy, a concerning trend has emerged among unemployed youth: seeking to 'pretend to work.' This has become a growing concept where individuals pay companies to use office spaces that mimic professional environments. With youth unemployment exceeding 14%, many, like 30-year-old Shui Zhou, opt to spend their days in these 'pretend work' offices instead of remaining idle at home.
Zhou, who previously faced setbacks with a failed food business, now pays around 30 yuan ($4.20) per day to access a mock-up office operated by the Pretend To Work Company in Dongguan. This space, resembling a real office environment, provides amenities such as computers and meeting rooms, offering a blend of social interaction and job-seeking opportunities. Zhou finds camaraderie with fellow attendees, leading him to remark that this routine has positively impacted his mood and motivation.
The proliferation of such establishments across major cities—Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nanjing, and others—has been facilitated by those grappling with economic challenges and a tough job market. Many of these 'pretend workers' utilize the amenities to search for genuine employment or work on personal projects. Dr. Christian Yao, an expert on the Chinese economy, notes that this trend allows young adults to navigate the gap between educational credentials and actual job openings, creating a transitional space for job seekers.
Some participants have turned these mock offices into creative ventures; for example, Xiaowen Tang rented a workspace in Shanghai to produce online novels while feigning an internship for her university requirements. This practice has raised eyebrows, with experts like Dr. Biao Xiang acknowledging that aspiring workers often seek these environments to alleviate feelings of frustration in a stagnant job market.
Feiyu, the owner of Pretend To Work Company, emphasizes his services are about providing dignity and a structured environment. His venture, which blossomed from his own experiences with unemployment, highlights how such spaces allow individuals to maintain a sense of purpose. Approximately 40% of clients are recent graduates looking to fulfill academic obligations, while the remaining 60% are freelancers or gig workers.
Despite the questionable long-term sustainability of 'pretend work' companies, they have inadvertently become social experiments that challenge traditional views on workplace productivity and self-worth. For people like Zhou, these spaces help transition fantasies of employment into real skill-building opportunities, crucial for future employment prospects as the economic landscape evolves.
Zhou, who previously faced setbacks with a failed food business, now pays around 30 yuan ($4.20) per day to access a mock-up office operated by the Pretend To Work Company in Dongguan. This space, resembling a real office environment, provides amenities such as computers and meeting rooms, offering a blend of social interaction and job-seeking opportunities. Zhou finds camaraderie with fellow attendees, leading him to remark that this routine has positively impacted his mood and motivation.
The proliferation of such establishments across major cities—Shenzhen, Shanghai, Nanjing, and others—has been facilitated by those grappling with economic challenges and a tough job market. Many of these 'pretend workers' utilize the amenities to search for genuine employment or work on personal projects. Dr. Christian Yao, an expert on the Chinese economy, notes that this trend allows young adults to navigate the gap between educational credentials and actual job openings, creating a transitional space for job seekers.
Some participants have turned these mock offices into creative ventures; for example, Xiaowen Tang rented a workspace in Shanghai to produce online novels while feigning an internship for her university requirements. This practice has raised eyebrows, with experts like Dr. Biao Xiang acknowledging that aspiring workers often seek these environments to alleviate feelings of frustration in a stagnant job market.
Feiyu, the owner of Pretend To Work Company, emphasizes his services are about providing dignity and a structured environment. His venture, which blossomed from his own experiences with unemployment, highlights how such spaces allow individuals to maintain a sense of purpose. Approximately 40% of clients are recent graduates looking to fulfill academic obligations, while the remaining 60% are freelancers or gig workers.
Despite the questionable long-term sustainability of 'pretend work' companies, they have inadvertently become social experiments that challenge traditional views on workplace productivity and self-worth. For people like Zhou, these spaces help transition fantasies of employment into real skill-building opportunities, crucial for future employment prospects as the economic landscape evolves.
