A school staff member in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, has drawn public attention after reporting that he has been receiving a steady salary without working for six years following a disputed job transfer.

The man, surnamed Liu, said he was transferred in 2019 from Shanxi Trade School to Taiyuan No 29 Secondary School with the expectation of taking up an accounting role. However, he was instead appointed as a clerk without his consent, and no formal employment contract was signed, resulting in a reduction in his pay and benefits.

Liu alleged multiple procedural irregularities, including incomplete approval documents and inconsistent filing dates. Following a brief stint at the new school and pandemic-related disruptions, he found no suitable position available. Unable to secure a proper post or return to his former employer, he stopped working in May 2020. Despite this, he continued to receive monthly payments of several thousand yuan.

Over the past several years, Liu said he has repeatedly sought help from relevant departments, but with limited progress.

In response to the growing public attention, the Taiyuan Education Bureau issued a statement on Friday announcing the formation of a joint investigation team—comprising officials from both the education and human resources authorities—to look into the case. The team has pledged to conduct an objective and impartial investigation in accordance with laws and regulations, and to release the findings to the public in a timely manner.