Young Chinese People Are Paying for Pretend Jobs
In a country grappling with soaring youth unemployment, a curious trend is taking hold: young people in China are paying to go to work—without actually having jobs. Across cities like Shanghai and Wuhan, so-called “pretend-to-work offices” are popping up, offering a semblance of employment in a time when real opportunities are scarce.
For around 30 to 50 yuan a day, customers get access to a desk, high-speed WiFi, meeting rooms, snacks, drinks, and the company of others who are, quite literally, pretending to work. According to the BBC, some users are trying to maintain appearances for others—like family, friends, or schools—while others are simply seeking structure, productivity, or a sense of normalcy.
Recent graduates use the offices to stage internship photos or take video calls that might convince concerned parents they’re employed. Freelancers come for routine and a professional setting. Job seekers find the space helpful for staying focused. And for some digital nomads, it’s simply about being around people.
Anthropologist Biao Xiang sees the trend as a response to a “sense of frustration and powerlessness” among young people facing a bleak job market. Christian Yao, a management lecturer, views the spaces as transitional tools—bridges that help people plan their next move or pick up gig work while staying grounded.
One of the leading businesses in this niche, aptly named Pretend To Work, was founded by a 30-year-old entrepreneur who goes by the pseudonym Feiyu. He said the idea came from his own struggles with unemployment during the pandemic. “I was very depressed and a bit self-destructive,” he admitted. Launching the business in April, Feiyu framed it not just as a service, but a form of support. “What I’m selling isn’t a workstation,” he said. “It’s the dignity of not being a useless person.”
The idea quickly gained traction—within a month, all the desks were booked. While some might question the ethics of paying to simulate employment, Feiyu sees it differently: “It uses lies to maintain respectability, but it allows some people to find the truth.” To him, it’s not just a business—it’s a social experiment.
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