‘Conscious unbossing’: China youth reject promotions to avoid intense corporate stress
Por Zoey Zhang — South China Morning Post – News feed
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Employees share scripts online on how to decline promotions, choosing better pay and recognition over career advancement
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Zoey Zhang Published: 2:00pm, 14 Sep 2026
A growing number of young Chinese employees are increasingly turning down promotions, challenging the traditional notion that career advancement is the ultimate marker of success.
This trend has gained significant traction on mainland social media, where related posts have attracted over 40 million views.
Workers have shared scripts online that highlight their decisions to decline promotions, often expressing gratitude, citing feelings of insufficient readiness, and seeking better compensation or recognition of their value in their current roles.
One online user, known as June, has turned down promotions three times during her decade-long career.
Her first declined offer occurred while she was working as a management trainee at an internet company, when she chose travel over accepting a new role.
Later, after being promoted to lead a training centre at an education firm, she reverted to her previous position within two weeks, overwhelmed by escalating pressure.
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