New Oriental Education & Technology (NYSE: EDU) has once again drawn public attention following an internal dispute. Earlier, founder Yu Minhong shared a company-wide letter and videos of his Antarctic trip, which sparked criticism from employees. Yesterday, an employee posted a lengthy message via DingTalk, accusing the company of exploitation, citing issues such as "996 work schedules with single-day weekends," unrealistic enrollment targets, and excessive workloads. The post was quickly deleted, and the employee's account was suspended for violating internal whistleblowing procedures.

The employee later released a three-minute video on social media, reiterating the need for management to address staff concerns through proper channels. They explained that sending a mass message was an attempt to leverage collective attention after previous efforts failed. The video also called for greater corporate accountability regarding workers' rights.

However, the response video faced skepticism, with some netizens dismissing it as a publicity stunt or AI-generated script, while others speculated about competitor involvement. Still, many voiced support, praising the employee for speaking out. The video has since garnered thousands of comments, with most siding with the employee and criticizing Yu Minhong for perceived double standards.

Some sales employees acknowledged overtime as industry-standard but noted competitive pay, while veteran professionals expressed concerns about potential retaliation, fearing the employee might face career repercussions.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions over labor rights in corporate China.