[China] Young employees in ‘silent rebellion’ against work culture

Members of China’s Generation Z are reportedly setting their own rules in the workplace by encouraging a growing philosophy of laziness or slacking. They call the practice “touching fish”, a term borrowed from a Chinese proverb stating “muddy waters make it easy to catch fish”; meaning one should take advantage of a crisis for personal gain.

The philosophy became more prominent in 2020 as the country struggled to manage the economic fallout of COVID-19. Young people slack off by refusing to take on overtime, playing on their mobiles or reading novels in the workplace, delivering medium-quality work, visiting the toilet frequently and remaining there for some time. (Link via original reporting)

The workers taking part say their laziness at work is a silent rebellion against the culture of working overtime for little reward. The practice also reflects disappointment with salaries considered too low for young workers to realise dreams like becoming a homeowner. South China Morning Post reports on the contemporary phenomenon with feedback from workers “touching fish” in their jobs today. (Link via original reporting)

Members of China’s Generation Z are reportedly setting their own rules in the workplace by encouraging a growing philosophy of laziness or slacking. They call the practice “touching fish”, a term borrowed from a Chinese proverb stating “muddy waters make it easy to catch fish”; meaning one should take advantage of a crisis for personal gain.

The philosophy became more prominent in 2020 as the country struggled to manage the economic fallout of COVID-19. Young people slack off by refusing to take on overtime, playing on their mobiles or reading novels in the workplace, delivering medium-quality work, visiting the toilet frequently and remaining there for some time. (Link via original reporting)

The workers taking part say their laziness at work is a silent rebellion against the culture of working overtime for little reward. The practice also reflects disappointment with salaries considered too low for young workers to realise dreams like becoming a homeowner. South China Morning Post reports on the contemporary phenomenon with feedback from workers “touching fish” in their jobs today. (Link via original reporting)