Beau Parrish

Complete Guide to Major Chinese Job Boards - TeamedUp China

The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Job Boards (2024)

/ 2024-07-18

Chinese Job Boards! There are likely more big platforms than you think. After all, the Chinese job market is the largest domestic one in the world. Despite their relative obscurity abroad, many of these platforms are comparable to international counterparts such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter in terms of both user base and revenues. Here’s a Table of Contents for the platforms covered, listed by date founded. While this set of job boards covers the major players in terms of users and revenues, we’re on the lookout for new emerging platforms and will update this list as they come! Chinese Job Boards: A Table of Contents 1997: Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) 1998: 51Job (前程无忧) 2005: 58.com (58同城) 2005: Ganji (赶集网) 2011: Liepin (同道猎聘) 2013: Maimai (脉脉) 2013: Lagou (拉勾) 2014: BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘) 1997: Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) – The Oldest & Longest Standing of the Leading Job Platforms in China Introduction Zhilian Zhaopin, also known simply as Zhaopin or Zhaopin.com, is one of the leading online recruitment platforms in China, connecting job seekers and employers across the country. In this article, we will explore the history and uses of Zhilian Zhaopin, including its key features, user statistics, and impact on the Chinese job market. Company History The company was founded in 1997 as an offline recruitment agency in Beijing. In 2004, the company launched its online platform, allowing job seekers and employers to connect online. Since then, the company has grown rapidly, expanding its reach across China and developing a range of innovative features to improve the recruitment process. In 2014, Zhilian Zhaopin was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, raising over $170 million in its initial public offering. The company continues to invest in technology and expand its services, including the launch of a mobile app in 2015 and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help match job seekers with relevant job postings. Annual highlights Here is a timeline breakdown of the key events related to the Chinese HR company Zhilian Zhaopin: 1997: Founded in Beijing as an offline recruitment agency. 2004: Launches its online platform, allowing job seekers and employers to connect online. 2011: Acquired by SEEK, an Australian online recruitment company. 2014: Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, raising over $170 million in its initial public offering. 2015: Launches its mobile app, making it easier for job seekers to search for job postings on the go. 2017: Introduces AI-powered tools to help match job seekers with relevant job postings and improve the efficiency of the recruitment process. 2017: Hillhouse Capital, FountainVest Partners, and Seek International take Zhaopin private at a value of $1.01 billion USD. 2018: Partners with Tencent to expand its reach and improve its mobile offerings. 2020: Launches a series of online recruitment events in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing job seekers to connect with potential employers virtually. 2021: Announces plans to launch an online education platform, providing job seekers with access to career development resources and training. 2021: Changes ownership once again – a private consortium led by China-based Primavera Capital Group purchase the majority share of the company. Key Features of Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘) Here are some of the key features and competitive differences of the Chinese HR company Zhilian Zhaopin: Job Search: The job search function allows job seekers to browse job postings by location, industry, salary, and other advanced criteria. AI-Driven Matching:  AI-powered tools help to match job seekers with relevant job postings, aiming to improve the efficiency of the recruitment process for both job seekers and employers. Extensive Job Postings: The platform hosts a wide range of job postings across different industries and job functions, providing job seekers with a broad selection of opportunities. Career Development Resources: A range of career development resources, including articles, videos, and courses on topics such as interview skills, resume writing, and career planning. These resources can be especially useful for entry-level job seekers who are just starting their careers. Resume Builder: The resume builder tool allows job seekers to create a professional resume in just a few minutes. The tool provides templates and prompts to help job seekers highlight their skills and experience and create a resume that stands out to potential employers. Employer Branding: The platform includes tools and resources for employers to build their brand and attract top talent. This includes company profile pages, job postings, and targeted advertising to help employers reach the right candidates. Online Recruitment Events: Zhilian Zhaopin regularly hosts online live recruitment events, allowing employers to connect with job seekers in real-time. These events provide a virtual space for job seekers to learn more about potential employers and apply for job opportunities. Mobile-Friendly Platform: The platform is designed to be mobile-friendly and has a comprehensive app for both employers and job seekers, allowing job seekers to search for jobs and apply on the go. Strong User Base: With over 200 million registered users and over 120 million monthly active users, Zhilian Zhaopin has a strong user base and is one of the largest online recruitment platforms in China. Zhaopin Advertisment Example User Statistics The company has a significant user base in China, here are a few highlights to that end: Over 200 million registered users as of 2021. Over 9 million average daily active users in 2020. Used by over 90% of the top 500 companies in China. Available in over 30 cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. User Growth 2014: Reports over 60 million registered users. 2018: Reports over 160 million registered users and over 100 million monthly active users. 2020: Reports over 200 million registered users and over 120 million monthly active users. Revenue Growth 2004: Launches its online platform, generating its first online revenue. 2014: After going public, reports revenue of over $240 million for the fiscal year. 2015: Reported revenue of $331 million and net income of $50.7 million. 2016: Reported revenue of $390 million and net income of $58.2 million. 2017: Reported revenue of $481

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Success Stories Cybersecurity Engineer - TeamedUp China

How A Leading Network Security Provider Successfully Hired A Cybersecurity Engineer In China

/ 2024-02-26

Success Stories is a regular series all about the talent our clients hire via TeamedUp China and how much they cost. New here? TeamedUp China helps companies simplify and save on their hiring process in China.  Note: Some clients prefer not to be named, so we’ve purposefully removed their specific names from this article. We’re their secret weapon 😉 What does the client’s business do? Our client helps companies globally manage their cybersecurity risks. These range from anticipating threats, to maintaining the highest level of security for their systems and assets, to the ability to respond in case of attack to minimize consequences.   Who was hired and what was their role? They needed an experienced Mandarin & English speaking Cybersecurity Engineer to be based in Shanghai, China.  They found Hui.  Hui’s responsibilities: Handle customer operations relationships in Mainland China. Monitor security tools for suspicious events and anomalous activity, triaging by criticality. Provide first-level response for security events. Conduct proactive threat hunting. Validate suspicious events and incidents by using open-source and proprietary intelligence sources. Participate in continuous improvement, alert design, and workflow management. Dashboard creation and troubleshooting. Deployment and configuration of various security tools (SIEM, SOAR, EDR, etc). Provide technical expertise and high-level support to customers. What was the salary of the individual they hired? Hui was hired for an annual salary of around ¥550,000 RMB, or $76,000 USD.  What was the candidate’s background before being hired? Hui holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity. Furthermore, he has over 8+ years of experience working for international companies.  Need to hire someone like this too? If your team is looking to hire in China, we can help! …And likely save you a bunch of time and money in the recruitment process.  Our China Candidate Sourcing Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014!  Let’s find your next great China-based team member today. 

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Success Stories: Apparel Developer - TeamedUp China

How a Leading Apparel Manufacturer Successfully Hired an Apparel Developer in China

/ 2024-02-19

Success Stories is a regular series all about the talent our clients hire via TeamedUp China and how much they cost. New here? TeamedUp China helps companies simplify and save on their hiring process in China.  Note: Some clients prefer not to be named, so we’ve purposefully removed their specific names from this article. We’re their secret weapon 😉 What does the client’s business do? Our client offers private & white label services for brands as a leading apparel & accessories manufacturer in China. Who was hired and what was their role? They needed an experienced and English-speaking Apparel Developer to work in their factory in Haining, Zhejiang Province, China. They found Zhang! Zhang is responsible for: Analyzing and sourcing fabric according to customer’s needs. Providing in-depth knowledge of printing types, embroidery, tie-dye, and other crafts. Purchasing auxiliary materials. Measuring & understanding of exact sizes from physical samples. Understanding English & English trade terminology, and using this knowledge to coordinate between local and international parties.  What was the salary of the individual they hired? Zhang was hired for an annual salary of around ¥225,000 RMB, or $31,000 USD.  What was the candidate’s background before being hired? Zhang has a Master’s degree in Textile Manufacturing and 6 years of experience working as an apparel developer for multinational companies. She also has specific purchasing and management experience to add to her skill set.  She is also professionally fluent in both English and Mandarin Chinese.  Need to hire someone like this too? If your team is looking to hire in China, we can help! …And likely save you a bunch of money in the recruitment process.  Our China Candidate Sourcing Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014!  Let’s find your next great China-based team member today. 

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Find Trustworthy Employees in China - TeamedUp China

How to Find Trustworthy Employees in China to Grow Your Business

/ 2024-05-25

Today we’re looking at ways to help with and organize hiring reliable, trustworthy employees in China! Sure, a lot of candidates look great on paper – so our main goal here is to find out if they can, in actuality, perform reliably and make a positive contribution to the company.  Our team here has helped loads of companies hire in China for nearly a decade now, so I’m going to bend the ear of some our our most senior recruiting pros for some experience-based insights. If interested, check out the past insights we pulled from our recruiting team regarding Resumes in China and Cover Letters in China. Make no mistake, China is full of world-class talent across most every job function out there – the tricky part can sometimes just be identifying these true talents. Here are some of the main tips we’ve found most useful at doing so.  Use Reliable Hiring Platforms & Sources When hiring in China, it’s important to start from legitimate places. There are a huge number of job sites similar to that of Indeed or Monster, but not all of them are created equal. Furthermore, most of the big global job sites are not available or not widely used – including the likes of HR behemoths like LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Monster.  Some of these sites require background checks and have steps for user screening, while others function much like Craigslist and allow for most anyone to apply with a simple account. We’ve spent a whole bunch of time breaking down the main players in the China Job Platforms space. Here’s a list of them, organized alphabetically, with links to explore our full coverage of each as your curiosity compels:  51job (前程无忧): A Look at the Leading Chinese Job Site 58.com (58同城): China’s Largest Classifieds Site and Much More BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘): The Most Active Job Portal in China Ganji (赶集网): A Look at the Giant Chinese Classifieds Platform Lagou (拉勾): The Jobs Portal Focused on China’s Tech Talent Liepin 猎聘: China’s Leading High-End Talent Platform Maimai (脉脉): The Closest Thing to LinkedIn in China Zhilian Zhaopin (智联招聘): An Overview of the Chinese Job Platform Outside of job platforms, social networks have become a much more popular place for professional networking and job information. According to data from 51job, this is especially true for younger generations of job seekers in China. Once again, the big global social media players are either not available or widely used in China. Some of China’s biggest social networks include the (super-app) Wechat, Douyin (Tiktok), Weibo, Red (XiaoHongShu), and the LinkedIn-esque Maimai.  When sourcing candidates from Social Media, classified sites, and even personal networks – it’s important to qualify every hopeful job seeker and stick to a vetting process (cue the rest of our tips below!).  Did you know? TeamedUp China uses our own talent pool along with a combination of the top Chinese job sites to source the most relevant and interested candidates. Our process filters out the non-serious applications early & swiftly (excuse us, and now back to the show)… Watch Out for Early Red Flags – Especially in Communication Pay attention to early communication: “The candidate’s responsiveness in communication and scheduling interviews is telling.” says Ms Zhu, a Recruiting Pro with 10 years of experience doing so in China. “Even the way they present their availability can be insightful – it can help tell us how much are they prioritizing the opportunity” she adds. Ms Chen, our Recruiting Lead based in Shanghai, elaborates that early email and text (WeChat) communication can also be a great window into the future working relationship with this person. Are they responsive? Clear in communication? If they can’t coordinate an interview process professionally, they probably won’t be able to do so with an important company project.    Validate References & Background There are a few key things that we believe can help out candidate filtering a whole bunch without too much of a hassle. Background Check A standard criminal background check is an easy one to obtain in China. It may be referred to as a Police Check or just a background check.  Our Recruitment Lead, Ms Chen, on the topic: “Be clear early on, that candidates are expected to submit [a police check] before starting. Anyone not OK with this request is probably not a good fit (…for us anyway).” She goes on to state that we don’t see much of a downside or hassle when companies have a police check required for all new hires. References Check & Contact References are a standard in any hiring process. We probably don’t need to tell you to check on some references provided by candidates. The tip here is to make sure the references themselves are legitimate. This point came up when our Hiring Pros Ms Chen & Ms Zhu reminded me of some of the things we’ve seen over the years: Friends & family members posing as a reference on the phone, References being a colleague in an entirely different department, Candidates hiring a service that provides “professional” references.  Now this is not a China-specific problem. A quick internet search will reveal entire guides devoted to spotting and dealing with fake references. The difference here is that many of these tactics don’t really work in China. That said, the general principles apply, but will just need that China-twist to prove effective: Locate the reference on a professional platform, and validate their credentials there. If they aren’t on LinkedIn – try China-focused professional networking platforms like Maimai. Communicate through a professional channel. While an introduction via Wechat is common in China, we suggest also asking for a business email – that means a format resembling ‘[email protected]’ instead of something like the QQ wall-of-random email ‘[email protected]’.  Double-check their information and qualifications directly. It may be helpful to prep a couple of industry or candidate-specific questions for the reference call to make sure the person on the other end is who they say they

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Most Popular Job Search Methods in China - TeamedUp China

How Modern Chinese Workers Look for a Job in 2024

/ 2024-04-08

So how do China’s skilled, bright, and young professionals find a job in the modern era of the 2020s?  We’re going to break down a 2023 data set from one of China’s largest HR companies: 51job. It is among China’s biggest job portals and has some of the largest amounts of local, first-hand, high-quality data points.  In this survey, recent graduates were asked to choose all of the main methods they have used to obtain recruitment and hiring information in their job search. The Job Search or Recruitment information sources were divided into 6 categories. Let’s dive into some data! Most Popular Job Search Tools Used by Chinese Job-Seekers Is Guānxì (关系) still king? Taking the #1 spot in a 2023 survey by 51job, 74.8% of new graduates claimed Recruitment Websites/Apps as a main source of recruitment information. Interestingly, the least chosen method for obtaining job & recruitment information was via networking, with only 14.1% of those surveyed utilizing the method.  Here’s the full results: Recruitment Websites / Apps / Platforms: 74.8% Attending Online Presentations / Seminars: 56.1% Job Fairs / Offline Recruitment Events: 33.4% Social Media: 31.1% University Employment Services: 25.7% Personal / Professional Networks: 14.1% Highlights from the Data #1. Recruitment Websites / Apps / Platforms It’s no surprise that in today internet-first, post-COVID environment that Job Platforms are thriving. The major Job Search Apps in China have extensive features for job seekers and the most opportunities for young professionals listed in one place. There are quite a few successful job and classifieds platforms in China. We’ve covered most of the alternatives in this discussion – Chinese HR firms that you may think of as similar to LinkedIn or Indeed. Check out our deeper look here: 10 Chinese Alternatives to LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and Monster #4. Social Media It’s interesting to see how far social media has come in the professional world. That holds true for China especially. The country’s most popular super-app, Wechat, has grown to become the #1 communication tool in both the personal and professional spaces.  Companies are able to promote themselves in a professional way not only on WeChat, but also on other social media platforms including Weibo, Douyin (Tiktok), Red (Xiaohongshu), and the LinkedIn-esque hybrid platform, Maimai. We took a deeper look at the social and professional platforms that Chinese professionals use in the wake of LinkedIn leaving China here: LinkedIn Has Left China. Here Are The Apps Chinese Users Will Shift To.  #6. Personal & Professional Networks Only 14.1% of those surveyed reported using their own networks to seek out job opportunity information. Networking, often referred to robustly as Guanxi (关系 Guānxì) in China, has long been a popular backbone of the country’s business culture.  While I have no doubt that Guanxi is still a big part of business in China, it is interesting to see such a low number in this poll from, essentially, the next generation of workers in the Middle Kingdom.  And since it is indeed a pool of the next generation, these job-seekers are young and most likely to have yet to establish a useful professional network. Deep and beneficial Guanxi comes from long-term relationships – so this may all add up just like that.  That being said, technology is enabling the way job-seekers gather and process information at an astounding rate, and it’s no surprise that China’s youngest working generation is using all of these convenient, modern tools they have.  Survey Bias It is important to note that this survey came from a leading Chinese Job Platform, 51job. Because of this, the results may be skewed towards the winning option ‘Recruitment Websites’. Allow room for bias here by adjusting this result down.  Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  The TeamedUp China Recruiting Pros are at it again! Our China Candidate Sourcing Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese platforms just like 51job and its peers such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and Liepin. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next great China-based team member today. 

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Marriage Leave in China - TeamedUp China

A Guide to Marriage Leave Policy in China

/ 2024-04-11

This one goes out to all those beautiful newlyweds-to-be in China! Today we’re covering Marriage Leave, or 婚假 Hūnjiǎ, in the Middle Kingdom.  To be clear this is about Marriage Leave, which is also known as Wedding Leave. This is separate from, and sometimes confused with, other benefits such as Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Parental Leave in China.  First off, let’s get the big question out of the way… Are Employees in China Entitled to Marriage Leave? On a national level, China’s minimum paid marriage leave is three days. Many provinces choose to extend this, and some have extended marriage leave up to 30 days. Marriage Leave in China By Province (or City) Listed alphabetically, updated 2/2024 Province or City Marriage Leave(in days) Anhui – 安徽 (Ānhuī) 3 Beijing Municipality – 北京市 (Běijīng Shì) 10 Chongqing Municipality – 重庆市 (Chóngqìng Shì) 15 Fujian – 福建 (Fújiàn) 15 Gansu – 甘肃 (Gānsù) 30 Guangdong – 广东 (Guǎngdōng) 3 Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region – 广西壮族自治区 (Guǎngxī Zhuàngzú Zìzhìqū) 3 Guizhou – 贵州 (Guìzhōu) 13 Hainan – 海南 (Hǎinán) 13 Hebei – 河北 (Héběi) 18 Heilongjiang – 黑龙江 (Hēilóngjiāng) 25 Henan – 河南 (Hénán) 28 Hubei – 湖北 (Húběi) 3 Hunan – 湖南 (Húnán) 3 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region – 内蒙古自治区 (Nèi Ménggǔ Zìzhìqū) 18 Jiangsu – 江苏 (Jiāngsū) 13 Jiangxi – 江西 (Jiāngxī) 3 Jilin – 吉林 (Jílín) 15 Liaoning – 辽宁 (Liáoníng) 10 Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region – 宁夏回族自治区 (Níngxià Huízú Zìzhìqū) 3 Qinghai – 青海 (Qīnghǎi) 15 Shaanxi – 陕西 (Shǎnxī) 13 Shandong – 山东 (Shāndōng) 3 Shanghai Municipality – 上海市 (Shànghǎi Shì) 10 Shanxi – 山西 (Shānxī) 30 Sichuan – 四川 (Sìchuān) 3 Tianjin Municipality – 天津市 (Tiānjīn Shì) 3 Tibet Autonomous Region – 西藏自治区 (Xīzàng Zìzhìqū) 10 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region – 新疆维吾尔自治区 (Xīnjiāng Wéiwú’ěr Zìzhìqū) 23 Yunnan – 云南 (Yúnnán) 18 Zhejiang – 浙江 (Zhèjiāng) 3 (data source) More Details on Marriage Leave in China… Is Marriage Leave Paid in China? Yes, the mandatory national and province/city-level marriage leave times (outlined above) are paid. Marriage Leave is considered paid leave in China. Leave for Second Marriages + The country’s Labor and Social Security Department has stated that those getting remarried in a second, third, etc. marriage are treated the same and enjoy the same benefits as in a first marriage.  From the Department: “According to the spirit of the Civil Code and the state’s provisions on employee marriage leave, the legal status of remarried people is the same as that of first-married people. Employers should refer to the above for remarried employees.” More Marriage Leave in Recent Updates (2023) In early 2023, some Chinese provinces raised paid leave for newlyweds to as many as 30 days. Namely – Gansu and Shanxi provinces, in the relatively northern part of China, have extended their Paid Marriage Leave window to the 30-day mark. One of the main intentions behind the extensions is to increase fertinility rates. It’s no secret that China’s policymakers have been working to increase this for years, and especially evident since the 2015 reversal of the one-child policy.  Yang Haiyang, dean of the Social Development Research Institute of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (In coverage by Nikkei): “Extending marriage leave is one of the effective ways of increasing the fertility rate, the extension of marriage leave is mainly in some provinces and cities with relatively slow economic development.”  Enjoy that extra time off, newlyweds! Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014!  Our China Candidate Sourcing Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next great China-based team member today.  References & Further Reading: 66 Law: https://www.66law.cn/laws/448128.aspx?_t=t&wd=&eqid=a2f628be0001ad2400000002645c6489 Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%A9%9A%E5%81%87/74962?fr=ge_ala Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-provinces-give-30-days-paid-marriage-leave-boost-birth-rate-2023-02-21/ Yahoo!: https://news.yahoo.com/chinese-provinces-30-days-paid-131830083.html? Taipei Times: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2023/02/23/2003794905 Nikkei Asia: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Society/China-eyes-cash-rewards-newlywed-leave-to-reverse-birthrate-slump Leave Network: https://www.leavenetwork.org/fileadmin/user_upload/k_leavenetwork/annual_reviews/2023/Blum_etal_LPRN_full_report_2023.pdf

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The Ultimate Guide to Work Holidays in China

/ 2024-02-29

The Chinese work & holiday schedule is a special one indeed! First off, the mixing of both solar and lunar calendar holidays to form the modern ‘Public or New Calendar’ (公历/新历) is unique in itself. We also often see this referred to as the ‘lunisolar calendar‘.  Secondly, and directly related to the first,  is that the government releases a public work holiday calendar every year, usually in the fall of the previous year. This calendar includes public holidays, observances, and (everyone’s favorite) special working days. How about a third reason?! There are two huge, week-long holidays on the calendar for the Chinese New Year and National Day holidays. Most workers across the entire country have at least a seven-day stretch off (the 2024 calendar calls for one eight-day stretch!).  Alright, enough pumping it up – here’s a breakdown of every holiday in China, organized by time of year. The holiday breakdowns include Dates & Scheduling Info, a Meaning, History, & Traditions Summary, and if there are Make-up Workdays. Also included are some of the more modern holidays that you’ll likely hear about when working in China, but may not be listed on the officially released calendar. Please note that this is an ongoing project – the dates & details listed will continue to grow & develop.  好好享受！ Holidays & Observances on The Modern Chinese Calendar New Year’s Day (元旦 Yuándàn) Solar Calendar: January 1st Upon it’s establishment, The Republic of China (ROC) adopted the Gregorian Solar calendar and included January 1st or New Year’s Day. In 1949, The People’s Republic of China continued to include January 1st in their public calendar.   While there are no China-specific traditions for this (originally Western) holiday, people across China celebrate in a fashion similar to the rest of the world. Evening celebrations, fireworks (where permitted), and midnight countdowns are all common across the Middle Kingdom during this time.  Public Workdays Off: 1 day. Make-Up Workdays: None. Dates & Scheduling: January 1st. If January 1st falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Friday or Monday around that weekend will be taken off.  Chinese New Year / The Spring Festival (春节 Chūnjié) / The Golden Week Holiday Lunar Calendar: Falls in January or February The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China, marking the beginning of the lunar new year. It’s a time of immense cultural significance, rich traditions, and joyful celebrations that span over a period of 15 days, with the exact dates varying each year based on the lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year is deeply rooted in centuries-old customs and rituals, symbolizing new beginnings, family reunions, and the welcoming of prosperity and good fortune. Preparations for the festival begin weeks in advance, with families cleaning their homes to sweep away any ill fortune and make way for incoming luck. They also decorate their houses with red lanterns, couplets, and other symbols of tradition. The festivities officially kick off on New Year’s Eve (除夕 chúxī) with many joining a meal together with loved ones. Families gather to feast on traditional dishes and exchange blessings for the coming year. Where allowed, fireworks light up the sky, originally believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Throughout the 15-day celebration, various customs and activities take place, such as dragon and lion dances, temple fairs, visiting relatives and friends, giving and receiving red envelopes or 红包 Hóngbāo (containing money), and enjoying special New Year’s performances and parades. Each year is associated with one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, rotating in a cycle, and festivities often reflect the characteristics of the animal of the year. For example, if it’s the Year of the Ox, you might see ox-themed decorations and performances. Public Workdays Off: 5 days. Make-Up Workdays: 2 days. Dates & Scheduling: The Chinese New Year holiday has its own special scheduling system as it’s an extended holiday and on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Check our guide to public holiday scheduling if you’re interested in the details of it! Example of Chinese New Year schedule in 2024:8 days off in a row, with 2 special working days creating 6 day work-weeks on either side of this. The Lantern Festival (元宵节 Yuánxiāo jié) Lunar Calendar: Falls in January or February (marks end of Spring Festival) The Lantern Festival, also known as Shangyuan Festival (上元节 Shàngyuán jié), marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations with displays of lanterns, lights, and cultural performances. Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, this festival’s origins date back over 2,000 years.  The highlight of the Lantern Festival is, of course, the dazzling array of lanterns displayed in public squares, parks, and streets. These lanterns come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, ranging from traditional red and gold to intricate designs depicting mythical creatures, flowers, and scenes from Chinese folklore. In addition to admiring lanterns, the Lantern Festival is also a time for enjoying traditional activities and treats. A cherished treat of the Lantern Festival is the Tangyuan (团圆 tuányuán), a sweet glutinous rice ball stuffed with various fillings like sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanuts. These round dumplings symbolize family unity and completeness, as tangyuan shares a similar pronunciation to “tuanyuan,” meaning reunion. Public Workdays Off: None (observance). Make-Up Workdays: None. Dates & Scheduling: The Lantern Festival is an observance and does not get a public holiday. This is mostly due to the 7-day Nationl Day public holiday that ends just one week earlier. International Women’s Day (国际妇女节 Guójì fùnǚ jié) Solar Calendar: March 8th The State Council of the People’s Republic of China announced the inclusion of Women’s Day in the new government’s first year, 1949. March 8th would be made an official holiday, with women workers given a half-day off. Public Workdays Off: Half day for all women workers. Make-Up Workdays: None. Dates & Scheduling: March 8th. (Mao era women worker image) Zhonghe Festival (中和节 Zhōnghé jié) Lunar Calendar: Falls in late February or

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Special Working Days in China

What Are ‘Special Working Days’ in China? (中国特殊工作日)

/ 2024-04-08

Special Working Days! If you’re new to Chinese work culture, I’m sorry to break this news to you – China has nationally scheduled make-up days around holidays… on the weekends. That’s right, every year there are a handful of Saturdays and Sundays, right around bigger national holidays, that convert over to workdays. There are 8 special working days scheduled in 2024, a number that can vary slightly year by year and is announced right from Beijing. Check out our super simple 2024 China Public Holidays & Special Working Days Calendar: 1999: The Beginning of Special Work Days in China In an effort to boost domestic travel and consumer spending, the supervising government agency passed an extension of some holidays: The three-day Spring Festival holiday remained the same. Labor Day holiday extended from one day to three days. National Day holiday extended from one day to three days. Essentially the plan was to give workers two extra weekdays off for two major holidays and thus, with one weekend included, a full seven-day stretch of time off. To balance the extra days, the policy makers added ‘special working days’ on weekend days before and after the holidays. The plan to boost spending and travel has generally worked out well, and this trend has continued through 2023.  2007: More Public Holidays Added to the Calendar 2007 further expanded public holidays, adding The Qing Ming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival to the list. Here’s the list of changes made with the policy update: The Qing Ming Festival added as a one-day holiday. The Dragon Boat Festival added as a one-day holiday. Mid-Autumn Festival added as a one-day holiday. Labor Day holiday reduced from three days to one day. A note to add here is that the three new holidays added are all traditional festivals and are celebrated according to the lunar calendar.  2019: May 1st Labor Day Holiday Scheduling Update In 2019, Beijing once again extended the May 1st holiday back to 3 days. The target schedule is 4-5 days off in a row, with 2 make-up working days. To be clear, 3 days off with 2 make-up workdays actually nets in 1 day off. Special Working Day Scheduling Rules Scheduling gets interesting! When it comes to deciding how the holidays are scheduled and which days will be special ‘make-up’ work days, there is a general system… One-Day Holidays For the one days holidays, that is – Qing Ming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. Below is a breakdown of how things are [usually] scheduled the lunar calendar holiday falls on each day of the week: Monday: The holiday naturally becomes a 3-day weekend. (In our mind) A nice, simple scenario – a long weekend with no weekend work!  Tuesday: If the holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding Monday and Sunday are off, forming 3 consecutive days off. This creates a special workday on one weekend day. It is often (but not always) the Saturday right before the 3-day holiday. Wednesday: One day off in the middle of the week. No make up work days. Not bad all. Thursday: Much like Tuesday, if the holiday falls on a Thursday, the following Friday and Saturday are off, forming 3 consecutive days off. This creates a special workday on one weekend day. It is often (but not always) the Sunday right after the 3-day holiday. Friday: Like Monday, the holiday naturally becomes a 3-day weekend. A long weekend with no weekend work!  Saturday: A Friday or Monday is given off. No extra workdays, with a 3 days weekend. Sunday: A Friday or Monday is given off. No extra workdays, with a 3 days weekend. Week-Long Holidays Chinese New Year: When scheduling holiday leave for Chinese New Year, administrators look for at least seven consecutive days off. Two special working days are added before and/or after the holiday. Here’s the schedule for CNY 2024 as a reference, with holidays in teal and special workdays in red: Example of Chinese New Year schedule in 2024:8 days off in a row, with 2 special working days creating 6 day work-weeks on either side of this. National Day: Always October 1st-7th (not lunar based). Two make up special working days added before and/or after the holiday. Again, here’s the 2024 calendar as an example. Notice the special working days split before (September 24th) and after (October 12th) the holiday week: May 1st Labor Day Holiday The Labor Day holiday schedule is somewhat unique. The scheduling optimizes 4-5 days off in a row to encourage travel and spending. The downside is that 2 make-up days come in tow with this. Here’s the 2024 schedule as an example of this in action: Example of Labor Day schedule in 2024:5 days off in a row, with 2 special working days on either side of this stretch (April 28th and May 11th). Should Managers Enforce Special Working Days? As someone responsible, such as the HR manager, business manager, or business owner – you don’t have to make your staff work, but it’s understood and expected. Moreover, these days are paid regardless. In our experience hiring in China, most companies are fully operational on these special days. Within your business, this especially relates to outside-facing roles such as logistics or sourcing, as well as client-facing roles. Both will likely still be receiving inbound communication on special working days.  In the end, it’s he individual organization’s decision on how to specifically treat special working days, if not just like a normal workday. Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  The TeamedUp China Recruiting Pros are on the scene!  Our China Recruiter Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next

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2025 Public Holidays & Special Working Days Calendar - TeamedUp China

Simple 2025 China Public Holidays & Special Working Days Calendar

/ 2025-01-20

2025 Calendar Here we go again! Our simple yet mighty 2025 public holiday and special working days calendar. It is directly based on Beijing’s announcement of the holiday schedule on November 12th, 2024 via gov.cn: Hiring in China? We can help. Post open roles across China’s top job sites, classifieds, and networking platforms — lower hiring costs by over 80%. Edit Template Here’s a breakdown in text with holiday names and dates~ 1. New Year’s Day: January 1 (Wednesday) will be a one-day holiday, no rest will be taken. 2. Spring Festival: There will be a holiday from January 28 (Tuesday, Lunar New Year’s Eve) to February 4 (Tuesday, the seventh day of the first lunar month), a total of 8 days. Work on January 26th (Sunday) and February 8th (Saturday). 3. Tomb Sweeping Day: We have a holiday from April 4th (Friday) to April 6th (Sunday), a total of 3 days. 4. Labor Day: May 1st (Thursday) to May 5th (Monday), a total of 5 days off. Go to work on April 27th (Sunday). 5. Dragon Boat Festival: We will have a holiday from May 31st (Saturday) to June 2nd (Monday), a total of 3 days. 6. National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival: There will be a holiday from October 1 (Wednesday) to October 8 (Wednesday), a total of 8 days. Go to work on September 28th (Sunday) and October 11th (Saturday). That’s a total of 5 special working days to look out for in 2025 you lucky dogs! 3 less than in 2024! For more info on these weekend working days, check out our article on the topic! What Are Special Working Days in China? 2024 Calendar Behold! Our simple yet mighty 2024 public holiday and special working days calendar. It is directly based on Beijing’s announcement of the holiday schedule on October 25th, 2023 via gov.cn: Here’s a breakdown in text with holiday names and dates~ 1. New Year’s Day: January 1st is a holiday. 2. Spring Festival: There will be a holiday from February 10th to 17th, a total of 8 days. Two special working days on February 4th (Sunday) and February 18th (Sunday). Beijing further encourages all employers to implement systems such as paid annual leave and arrange for employees to take a break on New Year’s Eve (February 9). 3. Qingming Festival: There will be a holiday from April 4th to 6th, a total of 3 days. One special working day on April 7 (Sunday). 4. Labor Day: May 1st to 5th, a total of 5 days off. Two special working days on April 28th (Sunday) and May 11th (Saturday). 5. Dragon Boat Festival: It will be a holiday on June 10. 6. Mid-Autumn Festival: There will be a holiday from September 15th to 17th, a total of 3 days. One special working day on September 14th (Saturday). 7. National Day: October 1st to 7th, a total of 7 days. Two special working days on September 29th (Sunday) and October 12th (Saturday). That’s a total of 8 special working days to look out for in 2024!   For more info on these weekend working days, check out our article on the topic! What Are Special Working Days in China? Hiring in China? We can help, and likely lower your hiring costs by over 80% We’ve been recruiting in China since 2014! Our China Candidate Sourcing Service helps companies post & promote open roles across top Chinese jobs & networking platforms. Let’s find your next great China-based team member together.  Book A Call Post a Job Contact us to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. New here? Get 25% off your first job post with us. Edit Template Calendars resource:  2025: http://big5.www.gov.cn/gate/big5/www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202411/content_6986382.htm 2024: http://big5.www.gov.cn/gate/big5/www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/202310/content_6911527.htm

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Childcare and Nursing Leave in China

Childcare and Elderly Care Work Leave Policies in China

/ 2024-02-07

In this article, we cover two key family-related leaves and benefits for workers in China. This includes Nursing/Elderly Care Leave (for caretaking of elderly family members) and annual Childcare/Parental Leave (for parents with Children 3 years and under). For those curious about maternity, paternity, or marriage leave for new parents, please check out our coverage of those here: Maternity Leave Policy and More Benefits for New Moms in China Paternity Leave Policy and Benefits for New Working Dads in China A Guide to Marriage Leave Policy in China Let’s get on with these other key family benefits in China, shall we?! Nursing or Elderly Care Leave in China Time Off to Support Elderly Family Members Time off for family is a welcome benefit! Nursing Leave, also referred to as Caregiver’s Leave or Elderly Care Leave, applies to workers who wish to take time off to care for their elderly parents. This is a more recent benefit that has been rolling out in provinces and cities across China since 2021. Some of the standard qualifiers are that the caretaker is an only child with elderly parents who need support. A smaller number of provinces also allow for leave for children with siblings (listed below). Here’s the Beijing policy (from Beijing.gov):  In the event that an employee who is the only child to his/her parents has to take care of his/her parents, every year, the employee shall be entitled to a caregiver’s leave of up to 10 business days, which may be taken on a continuous basis or in separate parts. So in Beijing it’s nice and clear – 10 business days of leave per calendar year (either consecutive or not). As of 2021, 13 provinces, along with Beijing and Tianjin, have passed policies for nursing leave. Generally, this leave applies if the parents have reached the age of 60 and are being treated in hospital. Annual Nursing Leave Allotment 10 days: Beijing, Fujian, and Chongqing. 15 days: Hainan, Guangxi, Hubei, Shanxi, Sichuan, and Ningxia. 20 days: Tianjin, Henan, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Yunnan, and Shaanxi. 6 provinces also allow children with sibling(s) nursing leave, though usually for a shorter amount of time.  Annual Nursing Leave for families with more than one child 7 days: Sichuan and Ningxia. 10 days: Tianjin, Hubei, Heilongjiang, Yuannan, Shaanxi. Employees taking nursing or caretaker leave receive full earnings. Annual Childcare Leave in China A Repeat Benefit for Working Parents! Close the Wechat down for a few days dad – childcare leave is offered all across China! Parental or Childcare leave in China is a relatively recent benefit.  In 2019, a government entity related to Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Development of Infant Care Services under 3 years old, encouraged all provinces of China to explore parental leave. In 2021, parental leave was officially added to The Population and Family Planning Law of the People’s Republic of China. Parental leave is provided in China, and ranges from 5 days (in places like Beijing and Shanghai) to 30 days (in Shaanxi province). A majority of provinces provide 10 days of parental leave. Here are some exceptions: 5 days: Beijing, Shanghai. 15 days: Shanxi, Gansu, Qinghai. 30 days: Shaanxi. Only Promoted (no set government policy): Jilin, Jiangsu. Mom and Babe relaxing in the Hutongs, enjoying their childcare leave perk When is Parental or Childcare Leave Taken in China? Parental leave is taken after maternity and paternity leave. It is generally provided annually for the first several years of the child’s life (following the child’s birthday as a calendar). Here’s an example of the policy laid out in Beijing (from Beijing.gov):  For every full year of a child’s life, either of his/her parents shall be entitled to a parental leave of five business days until he/she has reached three years of age. In the event that an employee fails to take his/her annual parental leave, the parental leave will not be carried over to the next year. For instance, if a child is born on June 1, 2021, either of his/her parents shall be entitled to a parental leave of 5 business days in each of the following periods: June 1, 2021-May 31, 2022, June 1, 2022-May 31, 2023, and June 1, 2023-May 31, 2024.   Is Parental or Childcare Leave Paid in China? Yes. Parental leave mandated by provincial-level governments (listed above) is paid at 100% of salary. Hiring in China? We can help, and stay within your budget!  The TeamedUp China Recruiting Pros are on the scene!  Our China Recruiter Pro service helps companies utilize leading Chinese job platforms such as Maimai, Zhaopin, 51job, BOSS Zhipin, Lagou, 58, Ganji, and Liepin. Contact Us for a free consultation to discuss hiring goals, salary & compensation budgets in China, and if TeamedUp China is the right fit to support your organization. Book A Call Get in Touch Let’s find your next great China-based team member today.  References & Further Reading: Beijing.Gov: https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/lawsandpolicies/202112/t20211223_2570599.html Leave Network: https://www.leavenetwork.org/fileadmin/user_upload/k_leavenetwork/annual_reviews/2023/Blum_etal_LPRN_full_report_2023.pdf ROEDL: https://www.roedl.com/insights/china-special-leave-maternity-parental-paternity-nursing-family-planning Ministry of Education statistical bulletin: http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_sjzl/sjzl_fztjgb/201807/t20180719_343508.html Unicef: https://www.unicef.cn/media/25216/file/FAMILY%20POLICIES%20IN%20CHINA.pdf

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