Should I Give Up My Work Values for the Money?

Some cultures are willing to accept the heavy pressure to produce while others resist. Such is the problem with many international workers coming into China. Many of them get used to the Chinese work-style while others struggle. AnyHelper inquired some people who have worked for both sides to find out the difficulties they have faced.

What's the difference between working for a Chinese boss and a foreign boss?

(The following are only personal opinions and cannot represent the whole social situation).

My feeling is that foreign bosses are less controlling. For example, if my boss is a finance major, he won't show too much interference in the affairs of the technical department. We just need to present the final result to the boss. Chinese bosses, by contrast, prefer to keep track of their employees' progress, even though they don't understand the reporting.

Martin

My Chinese boss usually asks me to do personal things for him, like picking up his kids from school or helping his nephew move house. Hahaha, to be honest, someone else might hate that, but I don't mind, because he also helps me a lot in my daily life, sometimes I get the feeling that we are friends more than co-workers.

Wilson

After I worked in China, my boss rarely praised me even if the project I was in charge of was successful. I was not used to it, because, in America, our bosses take every chance to give us praise and encouragement.

Ada

I work in the Internet industry and overtime is quite common. A few months ago, China's 996 culture caused a lot of discussions. To be honest, I don't know which side to take. On the one hand, we do earn much more money under the 996 form, but we are also really tired. And I've heard that overtime is common all over Asia, especially Japan, and I think that's probably one of the reasons why China is getting stronger and stronger now.

Ashwarya

You might have experienced what these people have gone through. Some cant tolerate the working culture in China, while others have forced themselves to get used to it. In fact, the above examples are just a small aspect of working for a Chinese boss. There are more extreme situations:

A recently-released Netflix hit series, American factory, raises an important question: Should I give up my work values for the money?

It's not just because The Obamas had invested in the show that it has caused so much discussion in China and the United States. The show caused a lot of controversy due to its "unique model" --- A developing country invests a factory in a developed country and hires locals to work for it.

As a viewer, we can always see ourselves in different aspects of this culture clash documentary.

Can Americans adapt to the Chinese work style?

To be honest, Fuyao Glass founder and chairman Cho TakWong (Cao Dewang) and his glass-making company were initially welcomed by the local residents since it provided residents new job opportunities. The local government even changed the name of one street to "Fuyao Ave" ().

In announcing his plans for the factory, Cho talks about how he hopes to change the American and the Chinese view demonstrating that they could work together in harmony.

It looked like a win-win situation

until the work started...

In the manufacturing industry, Chinese factories are applying fast-paced, assembly-line models. When the works get started, Chinese workers work like machines.

After working in Chinese factories for a few days, American workers gradually recovered from the excitement of re-employment and found that the "Chinese model" factories had many problems that they could not bear.

1

Compared with Chinese workers, American workers are relatively free and unorganized. The so-called "militarized management" is like a joke to some of them.

2

Lacking safety equipment is unbearable to them in regards to the factory conditions.

"They didn't wear safety eyeshields, and their gloves weren't cut resistant gloves, It's just crazy!"

"The room where we work has only one exit. If there is a fire, we'll be trapped."

3

American workers can't stand hours and hours of mechanized labor. They say the Chinese bosses are forcing them to work without providing them with adequate safe and comfortable working conditions. 

But the Chinese leadership's response to the overtime issue is this: sue me as you like.

Is the pressure from American unions on Fuyao working?

As time went by, this unique model that came with good intentions turned into hurdles that are nearly impossible to tolerate.

"You can't spell "Fuyao" without saying  'F-U'"

American unions step in:

Troublemakers have been fired:

Wages and benefits have been raised:

($2 per hour increase of base wage)

(If you work hard, you will have a chance to travel to Shanghai, the most prosperous city in China.)

After the use of an iron hand and a velvet glove, the glass factory seems to be back to normal production. The remaining American workers can't help to think:

What kind of employees do Chinese bosses really like?

Take manufacturing in China as an example, 

 You'd better follow the discipline similar to the army.

 You'd better accept long hours of repetitive hard work.

"Sometimes we don't have vacations, and the factory doesn't allow us to go home."

 You'd better obey your superior's orders without questions.

"We do what our leaders tell us to do."

 You'd better stop complaining about the low salary.

 You'd better not show your personality too much.

If you say you can't stand it, great, they can always find someone to take your place.

Is it the worst? Not really. At the end of the documentary, Cho TakWong, accompanied by other leaders in the factory, happily talks about replacing workers with the automatic machine, which can work 24/7 without any complaints.

What's your experience with handling Chinese bosses or co-workers? Do you think you should stick to yourself or adapt to the environment? Leave your comments below to AnyHelper.

Do you have further questions about daily life in China?

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