In an unusual response to persistent unemployment in China, many young adults are opting to pay companies for the experience of working in a simulated office environment. With youth unemployment rates soaring above 14%, these individuals are substituting their time at home with a structured, albeit fake, work setting.
Shui Zhou, a 30-year-old who faced a failed business venture last year, has paid 30 yuan (approximately $4.20) per day to join the "Pretend To Work Company" in Dongguan. He works alongside other young individuals who share similar fates, finding comfort and camaraderie in their collective situation. "I feel very happy," Zhou states, noting that the communal atmosphere has fostered friendships as they navigate job hunting together.
Such offices are designed to resemble effective workspaces, complete with internet access, computers, and common areas like meeting rooms and tea lounges. Participants can use these facilities to apply for jobs or explore entrepreneurial opportunities, turning their daily fee into a more productive experience.
Dr. Christian Yao, a lecturer and economy expert, remarks on the societal shift leading to this trend. Young people, grappling with economic inequalities and a mismatch in job opportunities, find these places essential for planning their next steps in life.
Zhou discovered this company through social media and has continued to attend for over three months, finding his self-discipline improved and his mental health significantly uplifted compared to his earlier circumstances. The office, for him, serves not just as a workplace but as a community hub.
Similarly, Xiaowen Tang, a 23-year-old graduate, rented a workstation in Shanghai to satisfy her university's stipulation for proof of employment. While her actual work involved writing online novels, the office setting allowed her to maintain her academic integrity. "If you're going to fake it, just fake it to the end," she quips.
Feiyu, the proprietor of the Dongguan office and himself a pandemic-era entrepreneur, observes that 40% of clients are recent graduates who seek to validate their status to their former institutions. He emphasizes that the service he provides isn’t just about workspaces, but preserving dignity and a sense of purpose among these young individuals.
Though this pseudo-employment may come across as deceitful, the ultimate hope is that it becomes a launching pad for real job opportunities. As Zhou pursues learning AI skills—a trend increasingly favored by employers—he hopes to translate his simulated office experience into gaining tangible employment in the future.
This "pretend work" movement speaks volumes about the difficult realities many young adults face while navigating a challenging job market. It functions not merely as a coping mechanism but as a reflection of their aspirations amidst adversity.
