Unusual as it may seem, a Chinese advertising agency with headquarters in the heart of Xi’an City, Shanxi Province, is under fire for reportedly moving its offices to a secluded mountainous region in an effort to get workers to leave and avoid having to pay wages. One of the most severe strategies a firm has used to sever ties with its employees is this radical measure.
Former employees, led by an individual identified as Chang, have accused the company of notifying them about the relocation to the Qinling Mountains, which required a two-hour commute each way, with limited transportation options. For those without personal vehicles, a three-hour bus ride followed by a three-kilometer trek through mountainous paths became the arduous daily routine. The company, they claim, refused to cover the expenses of the commute, leaving employees stranded in a challenging situation.
The new location reportedly lacked basic amenities, forcing female employees to travel to the nearest village for access to public toilets. Safety concerns also arose due to the prevalence of stray dogs in the area, particularly after dark. Despite multiple complaints, the management remained unresponsive to the employees’ pleas for improvement.
Facing a seemingly unbearable situation, 14 out of 20 employees, including Chang, submitted their resignations. Shockingly, within four days, they discovered that the company had relocated back to Xi’an City and was actively seeking new hires. The former employees now accuse their former employer of orchestrating the move to coerce resignations without compensating the departing staff.
The company, however, denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the move was temporary due to high rents in the Central Business District and ongoing office renovations. The company representative claimed they operated a homestay, necessitating the temporary relocation. Former employees argue that they were misled, being told the remote mountainous location would serve as the company’s headquarters for an extended period.
Social media in China took notice of the incident, with most comments endorsing the former workers and denouncing the company’s purportedly deceptive tactics. Many contend that by relocating the workplace without the workers’ approval, the firm broke the terms of the typical labor contract, so establishing a breach of contract. The scandal raises concerns about moral hiring procedures and the extent certain businesses will go to in order to save money at the expense of their employees as it develops.