Paper clips to politics

Zhou's colleagues are in their 20s and 30s. Most of them are typical Shanghai ladies, who are trendy, energetic and on the cutting edge of fashion.

As the team leader, Zhou clearly knows how to build up an easy and harmonious office environment.

"The secret is to become a reliable person for the team members," she says. "The leader should be fair and even-handed towards every subordinate and listen carefully to their concerns and difficulties. There are no weak troops under a strong general."

After work, Zhou will also organize "happy hours" to let off steam. Karaoke, dining and shopping are their favorites.

Zhang Junrong, who is pregnant, appreciates the consideration from Zhou and her warmhearted colleagues.

"My seat was moved to a spot with the lowest ionizing radiation and my colleagues add part of my job to their heavy workloads," Zhang says. "With special protection at the office, now I can imagine the happy life a giant panda leads."

In an office, many male employees feel as though they are surrounded by attractive women, just like Jia Baoyu who grows up among pretty young girls in the classic Chinese novel "A Dream of Red Mansions."

Gong Yong, the only male in Zhou's office, says he has had little experience or expertise in getting along with ladies before, so he still isn't accustomed to that "honor."

"As the old adage goes, three women and a goose make a market," Gong adds with a smile. "Every time the five beauties in my office have lively chats, I am doubtful if there is really a Hollywood movie that can generate more fun."

However, Julie Chen, an employee of a Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical company is not that lucky.

At first, like many young women who want to find decent jobs in top-grade offices, Chen was quite satisfied with her position. But she soon got involved in office politics.

"Two of my bosses have big conflicts of interest," she says. "As I was hired by one of them, the other boss and his faction scapegoated me on anything possible. The rivalry in the office lasted for a long time. I was so weary and frustrated at that time."