Drinking culture and sexual misconduct at Alibaba

“China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, its top anti-corruption agency, has criticized what it called a ‘disgusting’ culture of business drinking following a sexual assault scandal at e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd,” reported Reuters earlier this week.

The scandal was sparked by a viral essay by a female Alibaba employee that details a recent work trip when she was plied with alcohol at a business dinner, groped by a client, and then sexually assaulted by her male boss. The woman also wrote that following her return from the trip, she immediately reported the incident to the company, but it took no action.

The affair has reignited a debate about work culture, and the drinking and sexual harassment that is often part of it, at Chinese companies.

Two pieces worth reading about the debate:

• Alibaba rape allegation reveals China tech’s seamy side by Li Yuan of the New York Times.
• Sexual assault accusation at China’s Alibaba sparks reflection on alcohol, work and women by Chao Deng and Stephanie Yang at the Wall Street Journal.