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A Chinese company's decision to fire an employee after tracking that he walked more than 16,000 steps on a day he took sick leave has ignited a nationwide debate over workers' rights and digital surveillance in the workplace.
The case, recently publicized by an official social media account of China's Ministry of Justice, dates back to 2019 but continues to resonate in courtrooms and online forums.
The employee, surnamed Chen, had taken multiple sick leaves from his company in Jiangsu province, citing a back strain and later foot pain. He submitted hospital notes supporting his condition, including a diagnosis of a heel spur.
However, the company dismissed him, arguing he had lied about his health. As evidence, they presented surveillance footage of Chen running on company premises and—more controversially— WeChat records showing he had taken over 16,000 steps on a day he reported foot pain.
Chen subsequently filed for labor arbitration, which ruled in his favor and ordered the company to pay compensation of nearly 119,000 yuan (about US$16,700). The company appealed, but after two court trials, the verdict was upheld: Chen had been illegally fired.
The case has since stirred heated discussion online, with many criticizing the employer for overstepping privacy boundaries.
"Even if he really walked that much, he could have been going to the hospital or buying medicine," one social media user commented.
Another wrote, "The company has no right to monitor an employee's private data like step counts—let alone use it to fire them."
The ruling highlights growing tension in China between employer oversight and employee privacy, as digital tools make it easier than ever to track—and question—workers' off-duty behavior.
Source:
Editor: Crystal H
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