Chinese Man Awarded Rs 41.6 Lakh After Lawsuit for Being Fired Over Sleeping at Work
A Chinese man has been awarded a compensation of 350,000 yuan (approximately ₹41.6 lakh) after successfully suing his former employer for firing him over taking a short nap at work. The case, which has garnered significant attention, highlights issues surrounding employee rights and workplace policies.
A Chinese man has been awarded a compensation of 350,000 yuan (approximately ₹41.6 lakh) after successfully suing his former employer for firing him over taking a short nap at work. The case, which has garnered significant attention, highlights issues surrounding employee rights and workplace policies.
Mr. Zhang, a department manager at a chemical company in Taixing, Jiangsu province, had worked for the company for over 20 years. His dismissal came earlier this year after the company accused him of violating its zero-tolerance policy for sleeping at work. The incident occurred after Zhang had worked late into the night on a work-related project. The following morning, surveillance footage showed him taking a brief nap at his desk.
The company’s HR department issued a report confirming that Zhang had been caught “sleeping at work due to exhaustion,” which he acknowledged by signing the document. When questioned about the length of his nap, Zhang admitted that he had slept for about an hour. Despite his long-standing service and loyalty to the company, the HR department, with the approval of the labor union, decided to terminate Zhang’s employment.
The dismissal notice cited his behavior as a serious breach of the company’s strict discipline policy, a decision that Zhang felt was unfair. In response, Zhang filed a lawsuit, arguing that his firing was excessive and unwarranted, especially given his impeccable service record and the circumstances of the incident.
The court, after reviewing the case, sided with Zhang. The judge noted that while employers do have the right to terminate contracts for violations, such actions must be justified by significant loss or harm to the company. In this case, the judge determined that Zhang’s nap, being a first-time offense, did not cause any serious detriment to the company’s operations.
Judge Ju Qi of the Taixing People’s Court emphasized that the company’s decision to dismiss Zhang after two decades of exemplary service was disproportionate. The ruling acknowledged Zhang’s long tenure with the company, which included promotions and salary increases over the years. Therefore, the court concluded that firing him over a single instance of fatigue-induced napping was unreasonable.
This case has sparked a broader conversation about workplace policies, employee rights, and the balance between company rules and compassion for employees facing exhaustion. With the court ruling in Zhang’s favor, companies are now being urged to reconsider the fairness and proportionality of disciplinary actions, especially for employees with longstanding records of dedication and service.
Sources By Agencies
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