China firm imposes 2-minute toilet limit, revokes rule after outrage

Under the rule, employees were allowed to use the toilet before 8am, between 10:30am and 10:40am, 12 noon and 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 3:40pm, and 5:30pm to 6pm, with an additional slot after 9pm for overtime workers. Outside these periods, employees could use the restroom only if necessary and had to limit their time to two minutes.

Employees with “special physical conditions” requiring access outside these slots had to seek approval from human resources, with salary deductions for additional time spent. The company also stated that surveillance cameras would be used to monitor compliance, and employees who violated the rule would be fined 100 yuan.

The policy was scheduled for a trial run until the end of February, with full enforcement planned from March 1. An employee, who was not named, confirmed the rule’s existence to the Yangcheng Evening News, though the company’s workforce size was not disclosed.

Legal and public response

Legal experts criticised the policy, stating it violated labour laws.

Chen Shixing, a lawyer from Guangdong Yiyue Law Firm, said changes to working hours, salaries, rest periods, and safety measures must be discussed with employees or their representatives before implementation. He also noted that workers have the right to challenge rules that affect their well-being.

The rule drew significant public criticism. “It even claims to be based on Huang Di Nei Jing, but that text advises against working after dusk and stresses the need for sufficient rest. Isn’t the company ignoring that?” an online comment read.

An editorial in the Beijing News described the rule as an “arbitrary decision” and an example of “authoritarian approach” towards employees.

On February 13, the company announced it would revoke the rule following the objections from employees.

(With inputs from South China Morning Post)

From the homepage

‘I will not call it a mishap’: Assam CM Himanta calls Zubeen Garg’s death a ‘murder’

Hoardings to keep out pastors in Chhattsigarh villages: Kerala-based church calls it ‘most divisive boundary since Partition’

Her grit, Her game, Her glory: From Harmanpreet Kaur to Shafali Verma, meet India’s 16 pioneering World Cup winners