The coding industry is seeing a boom period, and even kids aged 6 are being taught to code these days. And though it is quiet an in-vogue profession, it is complex and demanding. It comes with its own share of responsibilities and work stress. And to handle the same, and make the work atmosphere lighter, a Chinese company has resorted to a rather novel way- hiring personal cheerleaders.

Called as “programming cheerleaders”, the company, whose name is not yet known, has hired three cheerleaders who have a variety of duties to fulfil. Like buying breakfast for programmers, chatting with them and also playing ping-pong. Basically, all that one can do to make increase productivity and motivate employees.

According to the Human Resource Department of the company, their employees are mostly male and terrible at socializing. And so, these cheerleaders are taking efforts in increasing employee efficiency and motivating them.

And though other Internet companies are following suit and adopting similar methods, a lot of people consider this to be gender-biased and degrading, for both-the male programmers and the cheerleaders.

Many netizens have taken to voicing their opinions on this, attracting a lot of flak.

“How about female coders? Do we get men too?,” asked a female programmer.
“This is degrading-both to the cheerleaders and the programmers”, commented another.
A third commented that it is like bringing Hooters to workplace, calling the job sexist and ridiculous.

China is facing a shortage of female programmers, thereby stating the need for training and hiring them. Some feel that this is not a discriminatory practice, but a supply issue. However, according to a lot many people, this kind of a job isn’t leaving a good impression on young girls, making the future of this kind of a job uncertain.

Source: cbc.ca