Chinese Company's ‘No Snacks, No Mirrors' In Office Diktat Sparks Fury

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A top executive at a company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange released a notice outlining penalties for certain workplace violations.
A senior executive at a prominent Chinese firm has sparked outrage after introducing a set of unusual workplace rules, including fines for employees who glance in mirrors or snack during work hours. The executive, surnamed Liu, is part of the e-commerce division at Man Wah Holdings Ltd—a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange known for its sofas, mattresses, and furniture panels.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Liu circulated a notice last month enforcing a strict no-eating policy at desks, mandatory overtime, and a requirement for staff to clock in six times daily. Employees who disagreed with the rules were reportedly urged to resign.
Liu expressed frustration in a workplace chat group, saying, '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." As per reports, screenshots of the message were later shared by an employee.
He warned that anyone caught playing games during work hours would be fired on the spot. In the same message, he declared strict penalties for snacking: '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." Liu also stated that being away from the desk without a valid reason more than three times would result in a salary deduction of Rs 23,981 (2,000 yuan).
As the issue gained widespread attention, a spokesperson for the company said an internal investigation was reportedly underway.
Man Wah Holdings, established in 1992 and headquartered in China's southern Guangdong province, currently has a workforce of around 27,000 employees.
This isn't the first instance of a Chinese company making headlines for unusual workplace policies. Back in January, Lixun Electro-Acoustic, a firm based in Shenzhen, drew backlash for instructing staff to take photos of colleagues in the restroom. These images were later displayed on the restroom walls.
The company defended its actions, claiming the intent was to discourage employees from spending excessive time in the bathroom, some of whom were reportedly smoking or playing video games.
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