The assumed reasons for the resignation of Airbnbโs China head, Ge Hong, may not be why he actually left, as suggestions that staff impropriety may be the reason. Chinese sources and The Information are reporting that the reason was in fact that Ge was pushed out for having a relationship with a female employee.
Earlier this week we reported on Ge Hongโs departure after just four months in his new role. Airbnb did not give any reasons. However, an account by WeChat channel Guixingren (็ก ๆไบบ) claims that the reasons assumed for Geโs departureโthe difficulties Airbnb is facing in China, the US HQ being lazy or restrictive, the companyโs poor service or even the reaction to the companyโs new Chinese nameโmay not be the case. Guxingren claims to have had it verified that the reason was in fact that members of the Chinese team have been accused of โmoral failingsโ including an alleged relationship with an employee.
US-based tech news site The Information also claims to have spoken to someone โbriefed on the decisionโ. According to The Information, โThe company found that his relationship with a female Airbnb employee violated the companyโs code of ethics and hurt the office culture in Beijing, the person said. The exact nature of the relationship was unclear.โ
This development could mean that some of the assumed problems may not be as severe as thought.