Trip.com Group (携程集团) launches "no‑reason personal leave" experiment — employees could get up to 45 extra days a year

Bold HR test as competition for talent intensifies

Trip.com Group (携程集团), one of China’s largest online travel agencies, has reportedly piloted a "no‑reason personal leave" management experiment that could give staff as many as 45 additional days off per year. It has been reported that the initiative is being rolled out as an internal management experiment rather than a formal, company‑wide policy — a signal that Chinese employers are trying new approaches to retain workers in a cooling economy.

What the scheme likely means — and what remains unclear

Details are thin and Trip.com has not publicly disclosed full terms; it has been reported that the extra leave can accumulate when combined with existing leave categories and that managers will monitor uptake. Is this paid leave, unpaid leave, or a flexibility framework for scheduling? Those questions remain unanswered in public reports. For Western readers: China’s statutory annual leave is relatively modest compared with some western markets, so an experiment like this could materially change work–life balance for affected employees.

Context: labour markets, regulation and employer branding

Why now? The measure comes amid slowing domestic demand, fierce competition for digital and service talent, and a broader trend of Chinese tech companies experimenting with non‑salary incentives to boost morale and retention. Chinese firms must also navigate tighter regulatory expectations around labour practices and corporate governance. Could such experiments become a recruiting differentiator as younger employees prize flexibility over pay? Possibly.

What to watch next

Trip.com’s test will be closely watched by rivals in travel and wider internet services. If it proves manageable operationally, other firms may follow; if it produces abuse or service disruptions, it may be scaled back. For now, the experiment is a reminder that Chinese tech employers are trying creative HR answers to an uncertain economic and regulatory environment — and that leave policy can be as strategic as compensation. The original report was published by ifeng; Trip.com has not issued a detailed public statement at this time.