BEIJING: A Chinese woman developed life-threatening muscle breakdown after her company forced her to perform 200 squats as punishment for unfinished work.
The young woman, surnamed Yang, recently moved to Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province and began her first job as a financial consultant at a loan assistance company in June.
The role is essentially a tele-sales position. Her team manager, surnamed Zhang, required each team member to make 200 calls, invite one client, and secure one client expressing intention to collaborate every day.
On July 28, after failing to complete her work quota, Yang was given the choice to either perform 100 squats or pay 50 yuan (US$7) for each unfinished task.
Having completed neither task, she opted to perform 200 squats to keep her job, stating: “I have no money.”
She recorded videos of herself doing the squats in batches at various locations throughout the office building as proof for her supervisor.
In the footage, after completing the last few squats, she was unable to stand up properly and staggered while walking.
She reported feeling severe pain in her legs.
However, due to her financial situation, Yang did not seek medical attention until five days later when her urine turned dark.
At the hospital, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing its components into the bloodstream. If present in large quantities, these components can harm the kidneys and potentially lead to life-threatening kidney failure.
Yang’s diagnosis revealed that her creatine kinase level exceeded 16,000 U/L, whereas a level of 1,000 U/L is typically sufficient for a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis.
Fortunately, Yang did not suffer from kidney failure. The doctor advised her to rest and avoid strenuous exercise.
Yang stated that she spent 1,400 yuan (US$210) on treatment. Furthermore, as her condition prevented her from working or completing her punishment, she resigned on July 30.
Yang believed the company was intentionally managing her out by imposing unrealistic targets.
She contacted Zhang and demanded reimbursement for her medical fees, transport costs, and 15,000 yuan (US$2,200) in compensation for personal injury, to cover her living expenses for 75 days as her condition would not allow her to search for a new job soon.
Zhang rejected her demands and suggested she take legal action.
Yang sought assistance from a local conflict-resolution TV show. Speaking to the reporter, Zhang admitted to violating labour laws but insisted that the issue had nothing to do with the company.
Zhang indicated he could not accept the amount of compensation Yang requested.
Yang registered her case with the labour inspection unit responsible for overseeing the company, and the staff assured her they would investigate the matter.
According to labour law, if an employer insults or physically punishes employees, the responsible personnel may face detention for up to 15 days.
“Zhang should be detained for 15 days,” insisted an online observer.
“The young lady should recognise that no job is more important than her health,” remarked another. - South China Morning Post
