Sleeping at work (Freepik(representative image))
A Chinese employee, identified as Zhang, was fired after being caught napping at his desk, but the situation took a surprising turn when he was later awarded 350,000 yuan (approximately ₹40.78 lakh) in compensation following a legal battle.
Zhang, a department manager at a chemical company in southeastern China, worked late hours, often stretching beyond midnight. Exhausted after an extended work session, he dozed off at his desk for about an hour.
The incident came to the attention of the company's HR team, which deemed his nap a breach of workplace protocol. According to a WeChat conversation accessed by local media, Zhang admitted to napping for an hour when questioned by HR. This acknowledgment led to his termination, citing incomplete pending tasks as the reason.
Unwilling to accept his dismissal, Zhang filed a lawsuit against the company, challenging his termination. The case was brought before the Taixing People’s Court, where the judges evaluated the company's policies and the severity of Zhang's actions.
The court found that Zhang’s nap was a first-time offence and did not cause significant harm to the company. Judge Ju Qi, overseeing the case, highlighted that the decision to fire Zhang was disproportionate to the nature of the incident. Consequently, the court ordered the company to pay Zhang 350,000 yuan in compensation for unjust termination.
The case underscores the importance of fair employment practices and the need for companies to handle minor infractions judiciously. Zhang’s legal victory also serves as a reminder for employees to be aware of their rights.
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