In a surprising turn of events, Qu Jing, the PR chief of Chinese search engine Baidu, has reportedly left the company shortly after her controversial comments endorsing a tough workplace culture triggered a public relations crisis. The news of her departure was first reported by the state-run financial news outlet, Economic Review, late Thursday, citing sources within Baidu.

CNN has obtained a screenshot of a Baidu system that appears to confirm Qu Jing's departure, although the company has not yet responded to requests for comment. Furthermore, Qu has removed the title of "Baidu's vice president" from her account on Douyin, China's equivalent of TikTok.

The controversy began when Qu Jing posted a series of short videos on Douyin, revealing her devotion to her job and advocating for a strict management style that included demanding expectations from her subordinates. These remarks quickly struck a nerve with young workers who are exhausted by long working hours and intense pressure, particularly in the tech industry.

In one video, Qu drew criticism for lashing out at an employee who refused to go on a business trip during the Covid-19 pandemic. She stated, "Why should I take my employee's family into consideration? I'm not her mother-in-law." This remark, along with her other videos, fueled a backlash from those who accused her and Baidu of promoting a toxic workplace culture.

The controversy surrounding Qu Jing's comments gained significant attention on social media platforms such as Douyin and Weibo. Users expressed outrage at her aggressive and insensitive approach while criticizing Baidu for its alleged endorsement of a harsh work environment.

Ivy Yang, a China tech analyst and founder of consulting firm Wavelet Strategy, described Qu Jing's remarks as indicative of the sentiments held by many young workers in China's professional sphere. "A lot of what she said really struck a nerve, because people feel that in their own workplaces very often," Yang said.

The incident comes in the wake of increased scrutiny of the strenuous work culture prevalent in many Chinese companies. Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma faced severe backlash in 2019 for endorsing the "996" trend, which involves working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.

The incident involving Qu Jing is viewed as a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue around work-life balance and employees' expectations from their employers, particularly as China's economy faces challenges such as declining foreign investment and tepid consumption.

As public anger mounted, Qu Jing's videos on Douyin were taken down and she issued an apology on Thursday, acknowledging the criticisms and expressing remorse for the harm caused. She also emphasized that her statements did not represent Baidu's official stance and that she had not sought approval before posting them.

According to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, Qu's videos were part of an effort to amplify Baidu's presence on short video platforms. Additionally, it was revealed that Qu had brought an aggressive corporate culture from her previous position at Chinese tech giant Huawei.

It remains to be seen how Baidu will address the public relations crisis sparked by Qu Jing's comments and subsequent departure. The incident has shed light on the growing demands for a healthier work environment in China's competitive industries.

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