PR executive at Chinese tech firm Baidu apologizes for comments seen as glorifying overwork

HONG KONG — A top public relations executive at Chinese technology firm Baidu apologized Thursday after making comments in a series of videos that critics said glorified a culture of overwork.

Baidu communications chief Qu Jing sparked a public outcry in China after she suggested in videos that she wasn’t worried about her employees because she was “not their mother” and said she only cared about results. She also said that the relationship between her and her subordinates was purely an “employer-employee relationship.”

The reaction was swift, with many on social media platforms such as Weibo criticizing Qu for his lack of empathy.

Qu posted an apology on Thursday on his private WeChat account, where he “sincerely apologized to all netizens” and clarified that he had not asked permission from Baidu before posting the videos.

Qu said his short videos did not represent Baidu’s stance. Baidu operates the dominant search engine in China, as well as Ernie Bot, an artificial intelligence service similar to ChatGPT.

“Many of the criticisms are very pertinent, I am reflecting deeply and I accept them with humility,” he stated. “There are many inappropriate (things said) in the video that caused external misunderstandings about the company’s values ​​and corporate culture, causing serious damage. “I sincerely apologize.”

Qu also pledged to improve his communication and management style and care more about his colleagues.

Baidu had no immediate comment.

Chinese online media outlet 36Kr reported on Thursday that Qu had left his position at Baidu. The Associated Press could not independently verify Qu’s departure.

The videos, which have since been removed, came at a time when many young people in China are struggling with a culture of competition and grueling hours in the workplace.

Qu received criticism for a variety of topics he raised in the series of short videos on Douyin.

In the series, she mentioned an incident of certain employees who sent hundreds of complaint letters against her to the office and threatened to ruin their careers by ensuring that they would never be able to find a job in the industry again.

In one of the videos, he criticized an employee who refused to go on a 50-day business trip during the COVID-19 pandemic. China had implemented strict travel restrictions that sometimes included weeks of quarantine for travel even within the country.

“Why should I consider my employee’s family? “I am not your mother-in-law,” Qu said, adding that if employees refused to take such business trips, they would not get salary increases or job promotions.

Chinese tech companies have long been criticized for their long working hours.

In recent years, a public debate has raged over the “996” work culture, under which employees at technology companies were expected to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. The issue was also highlighted after the death of two employees of the Chinese e-commerce company Pinduoduo, one of whom suddenly collapsed on the street while he was returning home from work.

Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, also faced criticism in 2019 for endorsing the 12-hour workday culture, saying those who enjoyed their work would not find the “996” practice a problem.