In China, an employee was fired for frequently using the restroom. The engineer, Li, challenged the dismissal in court, but the court ruled in favor of the company. Despite the employee’s health problems and prior surgery, the court stated that he had not informed the company in advance.
Court Rules in Favor of Company in Bathroom Case
New Delhi: A private company in Jiangsu province, China, fired its engineer, Li, for allegedly taking frequent and excessively long bathroom breaks during working hours. The company claimed this resulted in lost productivity and wasted time. Li had worked for the company for 10 years, and his sudden dismissal sparked widespread discussion.
Li challenged his dismissal in court, claiming it was unfair and illegal. During the court proceedings, the company presented surveillance camera footage as evidence. The footage showed that Li took 14 long bathroom breaks over a 30-day period in April and May 2024. The longest break lasted nearly four hours.
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Li told the court that he was suffering from a health problem, specifically hemorrhoids. He presented medical records of his treatment for hemorrhoids and a surgery he underwent in January 2025. He claimed that his frequent trips to the bathroom were due to his medical condition. However, he had not informed the company of his health issues in a timely manner.
The court ruled in favor of the company. The court stated that the amount of time Li spent in the bathroom exceeded what was considered reasonable for normal bodily functions. Furthermore, Li had not informed the company of his illness beforehand or taken medical leave. The company had obtained permission from the labor union before terminating the employee, which was in accordance with regulations. Therefore, the court upheld the dismissal as valid.
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The case went viral on social media, sparking a heated debate. Many users criticized the company's decision as harsh and inhumane, while others supported the court's ruling. One user wrote that illness is not a choice, so firing someone for it is wrong. Another argued that if someone is absent for hours without informing the company, action is necessary.
Employee rights experts say that companies should be sensitive to health-related issues. However, companies maintain that prolonged absences affect productivity and that action is necessary according to company policies. This case has reignited the discussion about balancing health and discipline in the workplace.
This case in China has once again raised questions about the rights of employees and employers. The court ruled according to the law, while the case sparked controversy from a social perspective. Employees may continue to advocate for their rights regarding health and privacy issues, but employers are also entitled to take action within the bounds of the law.
