China’s work culture has long been a topic of international concern, with its notorious “996” schedule—working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week—drawing global criticism. As the country grapples with a saturated job market and escalating competition among job seekers, working conditions have often come under scrutiny.
Recently, a particularly unusual job advertisement has set social media abuzz, not because of the job role or the salary, but due to the absurdity of the benefits it promises. The perks include “free toilet use,” “free use of lifts,” and a promise of No Electricity Charges for Overtime.
The job posting, brought to light by a social media account named Workplace Slackers, omitted key details such as the name of the company or the exact job title. However, it provided enough information to provoke outrage and ridicule online.
The position involves order processing and requires proficiency in Excel, with an emphasis on being detail-oriented. While that may seem typical enough, the so-called benefits make the posting stand out in the most bizarre way possible.
Free Toilet, Free Lifts, and No Electricity Charges for Overtime
The advertisement outlined the work schedule—nine hours per day with just four days off each month. Two shifts are offered: from 9 am to 6 pm and from 1 pm to 10 pm. The monthly pay for the role is 4,000 yuan (approximately $550), with an annual increment of just 100 yuan (around $14). The company also offers double pay during national holidays, a detail that might otherwise have served as a small consolation in a typical benefits package.
But what truly caught everyone’s attention was the company’s bizarre attempt to list basic human needs and building access as employee “benefits.” Among the perks, it proudly listed free use of toilets and elevators—amenities that are universally considered standard and non-negotiable in any decent workplace. It didn’t stop there.
The employer went on to mention that workers putting in overtime would not be charged for the electricity consumed during that extra time—a statement so absurd it sounds satirical.
Other benefits included tea, late-night snacks, and team-building activities, which might have seemed reasonable if they weren’t overshadowed by the fundamental rights being paraded as privileges. The way these “perks” were framed suggests a disturbing normalization of exploitative practices and a culture where even the most basic workplace facilities are weaponized as tools for employer generosity.
Social Media Outrage and Public Reaction
Once the job listing was shared online, it didn’t take long for it to go viral. Social media users were quick to react with disbelief and sarcasm. Comments ranged from “Is free toilet use even legal to charge for?” to “What’s next? Free breathing air during shifts?”
Many users expressed their horror that such listings were not only created but considered acceptable enough to be posted publicly. Others lamented the sad state of labor rights in China, highlighting that if this is being advertised so blatantly, worse conditions are likely being endured in silence elsewhere.
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One user pointed out that while the listing was ridiculous, it unfortunately wasn’t isolated. “There are worse job advertisements out there,” they remarked, capturing the shared sentiment that the Chinese job market is plagued by increasingly dehumanizing trends. Indeed, this is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of deeper, systemic problems in the labor market.
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This advertisement reignited debates surrounding China’s employment culture, specifically the grim reality of the job environment for many workers. The mocking tone that permeated social media masked a deeper concern—that workers are being pushed to accept lower standards of employment, often under the guise of economic necessity and job scarcity.
The Broader Issue: A Pressured Workforce and Shrinking Opportunities
China is facing a multifaceted employment crisis. Every year, millions of graduates enter the job market only to find limited opportunities awaiting them. This oversupply of labor allows companies to set increasingly stringent and absurd conditions for job roles, confident that desperation will keep applicants lining up. The result is a race to the bottom in terms of employment quality.
The infamous “996” culture is just the tip of the iceberg. Employees are often expected to prioritize work above all else, sacrificing family time, health, and even dignity. The current job market doesn’t just disadvantage new entrants.
People aged 35 and above also struggle immensely to find or retain employment, often being pushed aside in favor of younger, more “malleable” workers. In such an environment, companies wield disproportionate power, and postings like this one are the inevitable outcome of an imbalanced system.
A particularly troubling trend is the rise of “invisible unemployment,” where young people choose to stay at home, often supported by their families, instead of taking up low-paying, high-stress jobs. Some reports have even suggested that this segment of the population has started working for their parents in exchange for allowances, rather than subjecting themselves to exploitative corporate environments.
The cultural phenomenon of “lying flat” (tang ping) has emerged as a form of silent protest, wherein young people reject the endless rat race in favor of a low-desire lifestyle.
But while some are opting out, many do not have that luxury. They are left with no choice but to accept roles with poor pay, excessive hours, and, as we now see, bizarre and insulting “perks.” The normalization of such practices sends a dangerous message—that dignity and basic rights at the workplace are optional rather than fundamental.
In an economy that is still recovering from post-pandemic stagnation, where competition is fierce and opportunities scarce, companies often take advantage of the imbalance to implement policies that would be unacceptable in many other parts of the world. The lack of strong labor protections and an overburdened workforce further perpetuate the cycle.
This episode highlights the urgent need for policy-level changes and stronger enforcement of labor laws. There must be a shift from viewing workers as dispensable tools to recognizing them as the backbone of economic development. Until that happens, stories like this will continue to surface—perhaps more bizarre and troubling than the last.
The absurdity of this job advertisement lies not just in its laughable perks but in what it reveals about the broader workplace culture in China. The listing is a symptom of a much larger problem: a labor environment where competition is fierce, rights are weak, and survival often means surrendering one’s dignity. While social media laughter may offer temporary relief, real change will only come when society begins to prioritize the well-being of its workers over short-term profit and productivity.
Great insights! This really gave me a new perspective. Thanks for sharing.