Latest news with #ManWahHoldings
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Eat at your desk, pay a fine: Odd rules at China firm draw outrage online
Imagine losing part of your pay because you glanced in a mirror or munched on a cookie at work. That's the reality employees at a big Chinese furniture maker say they face after a senior manager rolled out strict — and startling — office rules. In May, screenshots surfaced from Man Wah Holdings Ltd's internal chat showing a senior executive in the e-commerce division, identified only by the surname Liu, laying out new demands for staff. The notice banned eating at desks, ordered overtime, and required six daily clock-ins, telling anyone unwilling to obey to 'resign', the South China Morning Post reported. Fines for mirrors, snacks and idle PCs Under Liu's rules, workers risked hefty penalties: -Eating snacks would cost managers 2,000 yuan (₹24,100), supervisors 1,000 yuan (₹12,049), and assistant managers 500 yuan (₹6,024). -Leaving a workstation without cause more than three times in a month would slice 2,000 yuan (₹24,100) from salary. -Forgetting to shut down a computer after hours attracted a 100 yuan (₹1,204) fine. -Stepping away for over ten minutes without locking the computer and pushing in the chair also triggered deductions. 'If I catch anyone gaming at work, they will be fired immediately,' Liu warned in the chat. He added that money collected from 'those who slack off' would fund red-envelope bonuses for diligent colleagues, the report quoted. Founded in 1992 and based in Guangdong, Man Wah Holdings is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange and employs around 27,000 people. The group is best known for its sofas, mattresses and panel furniture. One of its flagship brands signed Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau Tak-wah as ambassador in 2016. Legal experts raise red flags Labour lawyer Yao Kun of Kangda Law Firm told Henan Daily that Chinese legislation gives companies no authority to fine employees. 'Fining employees for using the bathroom or looking in the mirror is excessively harsh and may not be legally enforceable,' he said, as quoted by the report. A 'prison-style' management? 'Is this a job or a prison sentence?' one asked. Another wrote, 'When a company starts obsessing over attendance and discipline, it usually means they are out of money. Do not buy their sofas.' A third user wrote, 'Is this executive OK in the head? Nowadays, any random clown can become a member of senior management.' Internal probe under way On June 7, a company spokesperson said Man Wah was investigating the matter. The firm has not yet announced any decision on Liu's rules, but the online storm shows no sign of calming down.
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
₹24,000 fine for eating snacks, leaving desk without reason: Bizarre company rules spark criticism
A senior executive at a big Chinese company has caused online anger by setting strange office rules. The rules include fining workers for looking in the mirror or eating snacks during work hours. Staff also must clock in six times a day and work overtime. The notice, shared in May, said that anyone who didn't agree should resign, according to the South China Morning Post. Man Wah Holdings, founded in 1992 and based in Guangdong, makes sofas, mattresses and other furniture. It is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange and has around 27,000 employees. In 2016, the company's brand teamed up with famous actor Andy Lau. A senior executive surnamed Liu faced criticism after screenshots from a work chat showed strict rules for staff. He complained that, during a busy promotion period, some employees were not at their desks. Some were in the washroom or looking in mirrors. Liu warned that anyone caught playing games at work would be fired. He also announced heavy fines: 2,000 yuan ( ₹ 24,000) for managers, 1,000 yuan ( ₹ 12,000) for supervisors and 500 yuan ( ₹ 6,000) for assistant managers caught eating snacks. Employees who leave their desks without a reason more than three times will lose 2,000 yuan ( ₹ 24,000) from their salary. Even failing to shut down the computer after work would lead to a 100 yuan fine. Liu added that money collected from these fines would be used as bonus rewards for hard-working employees. Internal notes also said, if someone left their desk for over 10 minutes, their computer must be locked and chair pushed in. else, they'll be fined again. According to SCMP, a company spokesperson said on June 7 that the matter was under investigation. In 2017, the Philippines banned companies from forcing women to wear high heels at work. The instruction was aimed at protecting women's health and rights. The decision came after four women complained to a labour union, which took up the issue. The new rule officially began on September 29, Reuters reported. The labour department said companies must allow women to wear safe and comfortable shoes, with heels not higher than one inch. The Associated Labor Unions welcomed the move, calling it a big step against unsafe and sexist dress codes.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Want to snack at your desk while working? Get ready to pay a fine, says company
Man Wah Holdings, a Chinese furniture company, has sparked outrage with its draconian workplace rules. Employees face fines for minor infractions like snacking, looking in mirrors, and unauthorized absences. The company also mandates multiple daily check-ins, strict monitoring, and overtime, leading to accusations of creating a prison-like environment. A Chinese company has sparked outrage over harsh and unusual workplace rules, including fines for glancing at mirrors and eating snacks during work hours. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Workplace Rules Spark Reactions Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Fines for Minor Infractions Strict Monitoring and Overtime Expectations Focus on Order and Control Netizens React A company in China has incited public wrath for bizarre and inhumane rules. According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the rules included being fined for looking into mirrors and munching on snacks during work hours. The employees are also required to clock in multiple times a in 1992, Man Wah Holdings is headquartered in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong and is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock organisation focuses on designing and manufacturing sofas, mattresses, and furniture made from panels. It has a workforce comprising approximately 27,000 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Want to snack at your desk while working? Get ready to pay a fine, says company
A company in China has incited public wrath for bizarre and inhumane rules. According to a report by the South China Morning Post , the rules included being fined for looking into mirrors and munching on snacks during work hours. The employees are also required to clock in multiple times a day. Established in 1992, Man Wah Holdings 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. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo New Workplace Rules Spark Reactions 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. Fines for Minor Infractions 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. Strict Monitoring and Overtime Expectations 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. Focus on Order and Control 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. Netizens React 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.
NDTV
4 days 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".
