In response to job-related stress, individuals in China have turned to listing their bosses, colleagues, and job roles for sale on second-hand e-commerce platforms like Xianyu, operated by Alibaba. This unconventional trend aims to humorously “cleanse” oneself of the burdens of work, often referred to as the “work smell,” associated with physical and mental exhaustion after a challenging day.
According to reports, listings include offers for “annoying jobs,” “terrible bosses,” and “hated colleagues,” priced between 2 yuan and 80,000 yuan (approximately Rs. 22 to Rs. 9,00,000).
For instance, one seller from Beijing advertised a “colleague skilled in sarcasm” for 3,999 yuan (about Rs. 45,000), promising tips on managing such personalities. Another seller listed a “terrible boss” for 500 yuan (nearly Rs. 5,000), citing severe mental stress caused by constant criticism and a mismatched personality. Some sellers offer practical items like project documents for sale, underscoring the frustration many feel in their workplaces.
Notably, these listings are mostly symbolic gestures, as sellers often retract offers once “sold,” ensuring no actual transactions occur. “I saw many people selling their jobs on Xianyu, and I thought it was interesting, so I wanted to try it too. Selling my job that has no weekends for just 9.9 yuan feels like a small act of revenge,” shared one seller with South China Morning Post.
In response to the trend’s popularity, Xianyu has clarified on Weibo that selling individuals without their consent violates laws and regulations.