Imagine being fired after your manager finds out you walked 16,000 steps that day despite calling in sick because your foot hurt. What appeared to be a straightforward health setback swiftly turned into drama at work that had everyone talking. Was it a huge misunderstanding, an overreaction, or dishonesty? The discussion is intensifying, and the internet is divided.
16,000 Steps Spark A Fresh Conversation On Employee Monitoring
When a Chinese worker took a sick day due to severe foot discomfort, his employer rarely anticipated that he would walk over 16,000 steps in a single day. Disbelief and a national discussion about the limits of employee monitoring and labor rights were triggered by the revelation, which was made possible by data from chat apps and workplace surveillance.
The case, which began in Jiangsu province in 2019, reappeared after China’s Ministry of Justice posted its data on its official social media account in late October, rekindling public debate, according to a South China Morning Post report.
The man was employed by a Jiangsu provincial company and was only known by his last name, Chen. He initially requested sick leave in February and March of 2019, claiming that he had a back strain at work. He went back to work after filing hospital paperwork and taking a month off, but after only half a day, he requested another round of sick leave, this time due to right foot pain. He was told to take a week off by a doctor’s certificate.
Diagnosis Of Heel Spur And Extended Sick Leave
Chen’s sick leave was extended after it was determined that he had a heel spur a week later. A security guard stopped him when he was asked to come inside the office to turn in updated medical records. He was fired by the company a few days later on the grounds of dishonesty and absenteeism.
Data demonstrating that Chen had taken more than 16,000 steps on the day he requested a leave of absence was submitted, and it was alleged that Chen had exaggerated his condition.
Surveillance Enters The Picture
The business didn’t end there. When Chen filed a labor arbitration to contest the dismissal, management responded with startling evidence, including chat software records that showed he had taken over 16,000 steps that day and surveillance footage that showed him running toward the company building on the day he requested leave.
This demonstrated to them that Chen’s ailment was overstated, if not made up. Chen, however, remained steadfast, arguing that the information was false and irrelevant and that he had submitted thorough medical records that included diagnostic scans of his foot and waist.
The Unexpected Decision Of The Court
Following two rounds of court proceedings, the judge declared that Chen’s employment had been unlawfully terminated by the company. It mandated that the employer compensate him with 118,779 yuan, or almost Rs 14,70,000.
Investigators concluded that although the company’s evidence indicated movement, it did not prove that Chen’s physical activity contradicted his medical diagnosis. The case was referenced by the Ministry of Justice as a reminder that labor laws shield workers against wrongful termination, even in situations when businesses think they have discovered misconduct via technology.
Strong online reactions have been sparked by the case, with many Chinese netizens arguing over where to draw the line between protecting personal privacy and keeping an eye on staff behavior. While some expressed sympathy for the company’s frustration, others contended that employees shouldn’t have to demonstrate their suffering by remaining motionless at home.
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