China youth playfully ‘sell’ jobs and colleagues online for stress relief

Alibaba Group owns the South China Morning Post.

A search on Xianyu by the Post revealed more than 500 posts selling “annoying jobs”, “terrible bosses”, and “hated colleagues”, with prices ranging from 2 yuan (30 US cents) to 80,000 yuan (US$11,000).

One seller from central China listed her job for 8,000 yuan (US$1,100). She wrote: “Because I really don’t want to wake up early anymore! This job pays 3,000 yuan (US$400) a month, so you can recoup your investment in three months.”

A seller from Beijing wrote: “Selling a colleague who is very good at being sarcastic for 3,999 yuan (US$550). I can teach you how to deal with this colleague and offer 10 tips to avoid being the scapegoat at work.”

Someone else listed his “terrible boss” for 500 yuan, claiming that their personalities clashed and that the boss frequently criticised him, causing significant mental stress.

Another seller from Beijing listed a project document that needed to be completed that night for 10 yuan (US$1.4).

Importantly, the sellers ensure the advertisements do not lead to a real cash transaction. If someone does buy the “product” the seller usually cancels the deal right after the transaction or outright refuses the purchase attempt.

An anonymous seller told the Post: “Someone did pay before, but I applied to offer them a refund, and I deleted the listing after. This is just my way of venting my emotions, not actually buying or selling anyone.”

She added: “I saw many people selling their jobs on Xianyu, and I thought it was interesting, so I wanted to try it too. Selling my job that has no weekends for just 9.9 yuan feels like a small act of revenge.”

After the trend gained momentum, Xianyu issued a statement on Weibo on June 11, saying that selling people without their consent is illegal.

Liu Yan, a lawyer from Hunan United Pioneer Law Firm, told Xiaoxiang Morning Post: “If the other person’s personal information – such as names, ID numbers, home addresses, and contact numbers – are publicly disclosed on online platforms without consent, it constitutes an invasion of privacy and may be illegal.”

In China, those who release others’ private information without permission may be fined or detained for up to 10 days.

The trend of “selling” jobs or colleagues is part of a larger movement in mainland China, in which young people are losing their willingness to follow the intense work culture, with burnout being a widespread problem in the country. They are pursuing a healthier work-life balance to protect their physical and mental health.

People online have reacted with a mix of amusement, but also concern that the trend has gone too far.

One online observer wrote on Weibo: “This is so fun! It’s a humorous way for young people to relieve stress from work.”

But another said: “I think this way of relieving stress is inappropriate and may violate the privacy of colleagues or bosses.”