Office space, lunch for 30 yuan: Chinese firms offer 'pretend to work' service to hide unemployed status

An anonymous social media user advertised another service where 50 yuan would be charged for clients to pose as 'boss' in a leather chair and click pictures to assure their families of their employment.

Chinese firms are offering a 'pretend to work' service wherein they are providing office space and lunch for 30 yuan ($4) per day, to people who are struggling to hide the fact that they are unemployed.

A video was shared by an individual in China's Hebei province showing office premises and advertising it as a secret solution for people who are ashamed of themselves being jobless.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, it read, "For 29.9 yuan per day, you can ‘work’ here from 10 am to 5 pm, with lunch included."

An anonymous social media user advertised a service of like nature where 50 yuan ($7) would be charged for clients to pose as 'boss' in leather chair and click pictures to assure their families of their employment.

According to SCMP, the person wrote, "Many big companies are laying off workers. I had a spare office and thought this could give the unemployed a space to stay and connect."

The person said that though inquiries did reach out to him not a single person has visited his office yet.

Several users shared their bemusement over the incident and expressed their opinions over the 'pretend to work' trend.

A social media user said this tactic helps in easing psychological pressure for the unemployed.

According to SCMP, another user sharing his story said, "After I was laid off six months ago, my parents helped me move back to my hometown. Parents will always support you, never lose confidence in yourself."

However, a netizen criticised the service saying it is 'promoting escapism' and also argued that such things hamper job finding process for actual deserving people.

Reports have emerged that unemployed people in China have been hiding their joblessness.

A Chinese national from Hangzhou, Jiawei asserted that post his firm going bankrupt, he used to spend his days at a coffee shop where he would apply for new jobs along with his resume.

According to the publication's report which quoted another publication, Jiawei said, "Unemployment is stressful, but I did not want to pass that negativity onto my family."

Claiming that he used to head home from the coffee shop after his 'usual work hours' but would also occasionally come home late to give an impression of him doing overtime.