In an effort to help his employees with their work-life balance, a Chinese businessman granted everyone in his company an “unhappy leave” in addition to their sick leaves and vacation leaves where they don’t have to report to the office when they’re feeling sad.
At the 2024 Supermarket China Week held in late March, Yu Donglai, founder and chairman of retail chain Pang Dong Lai, announced during his talk that his employees can apply for an additional 10 days of leave whenever they feel like it. Furthermore, the administration cannot deny these employees of availing their unhappy leave.
@saysdotcomA business owner in China has introduced “unhappy leave” for his company’s employees in a bid to help them achieve work-life balance. “I want every staff member to have freedom. Everyone has times when they’re not happy, so if you’re not happy, do not come to work,” said Yu Donglai, the founder and chairman of supermarket chain Pangdonglai in Henan province. According to SCMP, at the 2024 China Supermarket Week forum in late March, Yu announced that his employees would be eligible to request up to 10 days of extra leave at their discretion. The retail tycoon is known for introducing company benefits that prioritises employees’ interests and wellbeing. Founded in 1995, Pangdonglai now has over 30 stores in Henan, with Yu explaining that he has no plans to expand out of the province to maintain employee happiness. Admin wants to know how to apply ah Read the full story at www.says.com!♬ original sound – saysdotcom
“I want every staff member to have freedom. Everyone has times when they’re not happy, so if you’re not happy, do not come to work,” Yu stated.
His company also requires employees to work only seven hours a day and entitles them to 30 to 40 days of annual leave plus five days off during the Lunar New Year.
This news has since earned much praise from the Chinese community online who are urging more companies to adopt such a policy.
At last year’s Supermarket China Week, Yu gave a speech calling out other Chinese employers who enforce long working hours. “Making staff work overtime is unethical and an expropriation of other people’s opportunities for growth,” he said. “Who gives you the right to deprive others of their time? How ignorant are you to feel proud of making others work hard? Do you know how shameless you are?”
He then shared that his vision for Pang Dong Lai is to always put people first. “We do not want to be big. We want our employees to have a healthy and relaxed life, so that the company will too.”
A 2021 survey on workplace anxiety in China has found that more than 65 percent of employees feel tired and unhappy at work, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Low pay, overtime culture, and “complex interpersonal relationships” were cited as the major reasons.
(ALSO READ: LOOK: This Netizen Shares Her Positive Experience with the Mental Health Crisis Hotline)
What are your thoughts on companies granting unhappy leaves to their workers? Share them in the comments!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message on WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! We also share our stories on Viber, join us!
