In a shocking incident, a Chinese company confined an employee to a small dark room for four days without power, phone, or computer access in an attempt to force him to quit. This extreme measure came to light following a court ruling that mandated the company’s subsidiary to compensate the employee $52,000 for their actions.
Incident Details and Company’s Response
The incident began in December 2022 when the employee found himself unable to log into the company’s computer system or use his entry pass. After prolonged negotiations over his resignation, the company informed him he needed to participate in ‘training.’ He was then taken to a room on a different floor from his usual workstation. This room, devoid of power, colleagues, and computers, had only a table and chair.
During his four-day confinement, the employee was allowed to leave the room freely and go home after ‘work,’ but he was not given any tasks, and his mobile phone was confiscated. On the fifth day, the employee’s wife reported his treatment to the police, which led to an official lay-off notice.
The company, seeking to avoid paying compensation, argued that the lay-off was due to the employee violating company policies by viewing nude pictures and browsing unrelated sites during work hours. The employee, a game art editor, countered that the pictures were work-related, and the court ruled in his favor.
Court Ruling and Company’s Reaction
The court’s decision to award the employee $52,000 in compensation was met with resistance from the company, which challenged the ruling. The company stated, “We believe that there are many problems with the labor laws which severely hinder economic development and are arbitrarily enforced by judges who distort the facts.”
Previous Controversies
This incident is not the company’s first brush with controversy. In 2020, the CEO announced significant profit growth and suggested employees ‘voluntarily apply’ for a 10 percent reduction in monthly salary. Reports from Hongxing News indicated that this ‘voluntary pay cut’ was seen by many employees as a test of loyalty and obedience rather than a genuine request.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The confinement of the employee highlights significant legal and ethical concerns regarding worker treatment and rights. The company’s actions have sparked a broader discussion on labor laws and the enforcement of fair practices. This case underscores the importance of protecting employees from abusive practices and ensuring that companies adhere to ethical standards.
