A Chinese employee reportedly developed a serious muscle condition after her boss ordered her to perform 200 squats as punishment for failing to meet a workplace target.
The woman, identified only by her surname Yang, joined a loan assistance company in Hangzhou in June this year. Her situation took a dramatic turn after she failed to achieve the required performance target.
According to China Press, Yang was subsequently instructed to complete 200 squats, with the entire punishment recorded by the employee herself.
The physically demanding exercise left Yang struggling to walk afterwards. She also noticed that her urine had turned dark, prompting her to seek medical attention.
Doctors later diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis, a potentially serious condition that occurs when muscle tissue breaks down rapidly and releases proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream.
Yang is now seeking RMB15,000, equivalent to about RM8,900, in compensation for personal injuries and expenses. Her claim reportedly includes costs related to 75 days of medical treatment, nursing care and nutritional support.
Yang’s boss acknowledged that he had ordered the squats and said he had studied human resources. He also admitted being aware that such forms of punishment were contrary to labour laws.
However, he defended the practice by arguing that employees needed to face a certain level of pressure because the company’s ultimate objective was to make money.
The employer said he had not expected the punishment to result in such serious health consequences and claimed that he had remained in contact with Yang following the incident.
He also said he had contributed more than RMB300, or approximately RM180, towards her medical expenses.
The dispute remains unresolved, with Yang and her employer yet to reach an agreement over compensation.
The incident has drawn attention to the potential dangers of using physically demanding punishments in the workplace, particularly when performance targets are involved.
