China’s faltering tech giants push workers to the limit

As executives across China’s tech industry face a new reality of low growth, rising competition and investor apathy, many are cutting staff and making tough demands of those they keep.

Ryan McMorrow and Nian Liu

Updated Jun 25, 2024 – 1.19pm, first published at 7.37am

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In a recent video conference with office staff, JD.com founder Richard Liu added a warning into his pep talk: his company did not have room for anyone who wanted work-life balance.

“We have employees who prefer to enjoy life, who put life first and work second. I can understand not wanting to work hard, everyone makes different choices … so, I can only say that you are not our brother, you are a passerby,” he told attendees, according to a recording on social media. “We should not be working together.”

Financial Times