Are Chinese employees putting up their jobs & bosses for sale online?

All jobs come with a certain level of stress, but when the workplace becomes toxic and the boss unsupportive, the stress can be overwhelming. Young professionals in China have found a unique and amusing way to cope; they are listing their jobs, bosses, and colleagues for sale on second-hand e-commerce platforms.

On Xianyu, Alibaba’s second-hand e-commerce platform, employees are playfully “selling” their jobs and colleagues. This activity is a means to ease their work-related stress and helps them rid themselves of the “work smell”—a term in China that describes the mental and physical exhaustion after a long workday.

According to the South China Morning Post, the listings on Xianyu include descriptions of “annoying bosses”, “terrible jobs”, and “hated colleagues”, with prices ranging from Rs 4 to Rs 9 lakh. One user, offering her job up for Rs 91,000, noted that it pays Rs 33,000 per month and assured potential buyers that they could recover their investment within three months.

Another user humorously listed a sarcastic colleague for 3,999 yuan (Rs 45,925), promising to provide ten tips on avoiding becoming the workplace scapegoat. A third professional listed his “terrible boss” for 500 yuan (Rs 5,742), citing frequent criticisms and significant mental stress due to personality clashes.

These listings are made in jest, with sellers ensuring no actual transactions occur. If someone attempts to purchase one of these “products”, the seller usually cancels the deal or refunds the payment.

Reactions online have been mixed, with some finding the trend amusing while others express concern that it may have gone too far.