is headquartered in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong and is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The organisation focuses on designing and manufacturing sofas, mattresses, and furniture made from panels. It has a workforce comprising approximately 27,000 employees.
In May, one of the company’s senior officials from the e-commerce division released an official internal directive outlining newly implemented workplace regulations. The document aimed to address what management saw as growing problems with employee discipline and productivity.
According to the executive, many staff members were frequently absent from their workstations without authorization. Some were reportedly spending excessive time in the restroom, while others were seen engaging in unprofessional behavior such as gazing into mirrors or offering implausible excuses for being away from their desks. In response to these concerns, the new set of rules established clear penalties and tighter monitoring protocols.
Among the stricter measures introduced was a penalty system for minor workplace behaviors. Employees caught snacking at their desks could now face monetary deductions. Depending on their role within the hierarchy, managers risk a 2,000 yuan fine, mid-level supervisors 1,000 yuan, and junior managers 500 yuan. The company also implemented a policy requiring staff to check in multiple times a day to confirm their presence.Employees were further instructed to work beyond regular hours, emphasizing the company's demand for extra effort and time commitment. Engaging in leisure activities such as gaming during official work hours was strictly prohibited. Any violation would result in immediate termination, leaving no room for leniency.Another significant policy targeted unauthorized desk absences. If a worker was found away from their station more than three times without proper justification, they would face a 2,000 yuan reduction in their monthly pay. Forgetting to properly shut down their work computer after hours would result in a separate fine of 100 yuan.Additionally, if an employee stepped away from their workstation for over 10 minutes, they were expected to lock their computer and neatly adjust their chair. Failure to do so would trigger yet another fine, reinforcing a culture of orderliness and constant accountability.As per the SCMP report, the new rules issued by the company triggered a huge backlash on social media. Netizens flooded the Internet calling the job a “prison sentence.” Another theorised that if the management is this obsessed over attendance, they are raking in losses.
