Latest news with #ManWahHoldingsLtd
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Company faces backlash for fining employees for looking in mirrors, eating at desks: ‘If I catch anyone…'
A Chinese firm is facing backlash after introducing a set of unusual workplace rules. According to a report in South China Morning Post, Man Wah Holdings Ltd, a major home furnishing firm-is under fire after one of its senior executives announced strict staff policies. The company, Man Wah Holdings Ltd, is one of China's biggest furniture brands. Founded in 1992 and based in Guangdong province, it is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and employs around 27,000 people. In May, a senior executive in the e-commerce department, surnamed Liu, issued a formal notice listing the new rules. He said staff were often missing from their desks, were in the restroom, some looking in mirrors, and others making strange excuses. The new rules include fines for looking in mirrors, eating snacks at desks, and failing to clock in several times a day. Staff are also required to work overtime. Liu warned that any employee caught playing games during work hours would be fired immediately. He also introduced a fine system for eating snacks at work: managers would be fined 2,000 yuan, supervisors 1,000 yuan, and assistant managers 500 yuan. He added that staff who are away from their desks without a valid reason more than three times would have their monthly salary reduced by 2,000 yuan. Those who fail to shut down their computers after work would be fined 100 yuan. Another rule said if a worker is away for over 10 minutes, they must lock their computer and push in their chair, or face a fine. Staff unwilling to comply with the new rules were told they should resign. The incident triggered a strong reaction online, with many people criticising the company's harsh and unusual rules.
NDTV
17 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
Chinese Firm Faces Backlash For Penalising Workers For Mirror Gazing, Snacking
A well-known Chinese company's senior executive has courted controversy after he announced a series of bizarre workplace rules that include a fine for looking in the mirror and eating snacks during work hours. The man, identified by his surname Liu, works in the e-commerce department of Man Wah Holdings Ltd -- a Hong Kong stock exchange-listed company that specialises in sofas, mattresses and panel furniture. Mr Liu issued the notice to employees last month, banning eating at work, mandating overtime, and requiring them to clock in six times a day. Those refusing to comply were told to resign, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. "With a major promotion season coming up, some people are not at their workstations. Some are in the restroom, some are looking in mirrors, others make strange excuses," Mr Liu complained in a workplace chat group, whose screenshots were shared by an employee. "If I catch anyone gaming at work, they will be fired immediately. Anyone caught having snacks will face fines: Rs 23,981 (2,000 yuan) for managers, Rs 11,990 (1,000 yuan) for supervisors and Rs 5,995 (500 yuan) for assistant managers." He added that anyone away from their workstation, without causing more than three times, their monthly salary will be reduced by Rs 23,981 (2,000 yuan). As the controversy snowballed, a company spokesperson said they were investigating the matter. Founded in 1992, Man Wah Holdings is based in Guangdong province in southern China and employs 27,000 people. "Fining employees for using the bathroom or looking in the mirror is excessively harsh and may not be legally enforceable," Yao Kun, a lawyer at Kangda Law Firm, told the outlet. Previous instance This is not the first time a Chinese firm has come under scrutiny for absurd rules. In January, Shenzen-based Lixun Electro-Acoustic faced opposition after it sent staff members to photograph other employees using the toilet and later posted the compromising images on the wall of the restroom. The company said it undertook the surveillance to warn employees against using the bathroom for too long with few spending time smoking while others played video games. "The staff were spending too much time in the bathroom smoking or playing games, which made other staff uncomfortable," the company said. Facing backlash, the company said it had taken down the photos a few hours later because "they do not look good".
