Workplace punishment leads to medical emergency
A young woman in Hangzhou, eastern China, developed a potentially life-threatening muscle condition after her manager punished her with 200 squats for failing to meet daily work targets, according to reports from the South China Morning Post and Hindustan Times.
The woman, identified by her surname Yang, had recently moved to Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and started working as a financial consultant at a loan assistance company in June. Her role was essentially tele-sales.
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, the reports said.
On July 28, after Yang failed to complete her work quota, she was given a choice: perform 100 squats or pay 50 yuan (around ₹700 or US$7) for each unfinished task. Yang, who had completed neither task, opted to do 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.
After finishing the final few squats, Yang struggled to stand and staggered while walking, and later experienced severe pain in her legs. Despite the pain, she did not immediately seek medical attention due to financial concerns. Five days later, she went to the hospital after her urine turned dark.
Doctors diagnosed Yang with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which damaged muscle tissue breaks down rapidly and releases substances into the bloodstream that can damage the kidneys. Her creatine kinase level exceeded 16,000 U/L, while levels above 1,000 U/L can indicate the condition, according to the South China Morning Post. Fortunately, she did not develop kidney failure and was advised to rest and avoid strenuous exercise.
Yang said she spent 1,400 yuan (around ₹19,000) on treatment. Her condition left her unable to work or complete the punishment imposed by her manager, and she resigned from the company on July 30.
Compensation demand and denial
Yang alleged that the company was intentionally trying to force her out by imposing unrealistic targets. She demanded reimbursement for her medical and transport expenses, along with 15,000 yuan (around ₹2.12 lakh) in compensation for personal injury and living expenses during her recovery.
According to the reports, Zhang rejected Yang's demands and told her to take legal action. He later admitted on a local conflict-resolution TV programme that he had violated labour laws, but maintained that the incident was not the company's responsibility.
Yang registered a complaint with the local labour inspection unit, which assured her that the matter would be investigated.
The incident sparked criticism online, with one user saying Zhang "should be detained for 15 days" and another urging Yang to recognize that "no job is more important than her health."