A Shenzhen-based company, Lixun Diansheng, recently found itself at the center of a storm of controversy after it was revealed that employees were being photographed while using restrooms to deter them from taking long breaks or smoking.
This shocking practice has sparked widespread outrage online and reignited debates about employee privacy and workplace ethics.
The Incident: Photographing Employees in Restrooms
Lixun Diansheng, based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, faced intense criticism after the news broke on January 20 that it had adopted extreme measures to monitor its employees’ restroom habits.
The company claimed that prolonged restroom breaks were becoming an issue, as some employees spent significant time in stalls smoking or playing mobile games, leaving others waiting. Instead of implementing reasonable policies or addressing the issue through dialogue, the company resorted to photographing employees in the restrooms.
According to reports, company personnel used ladders to peer over restroom stall doors and capture images of employees. These photographs were then displayed on the restroom walls as a form of public shaming.
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The rationale provided by the company was that these images would act as a deterrent to prevent employees from occupying the restroom for extended periods. However, after only a few hours, the photos were removed. The reason, as stated by the company, was not due to concerns over legality or ethics but simply because “they do not look good.”
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This bizarre and invasive practice has been met with widespread condemnation. Many have pointed out that the company’s actions reflect a blatant disregard for employees’ basic rights and privacy.
Public Outrage and Legal Concerns
The incident has triggered an intense online backlash. Social media platforms and news outlets were flooded with criticism, with many calling out the company for its appalling behavior. The violation of privacy was a central concern, with users questioning how such an action could even be considered in a professional environment.
Lawyer Zhu Xue from Celue Law Firm weighed in on the issue, stating that the company’s actions were a clear infringement of employee privacy.
Zhu emphasized that companies have no right to monitor employee behavior in such an invasive manner, even if they are trying to manage workplace productivity. “The companies should not record and manage its employees’ laziness but not illegal behavior with illegitimate methods,” Zhu remarked.
Online commentators also highlighted the absurdity of the company’s defense. One user noted, “The first thing that the company thought of was that the photos did not look good rather than that they were illegal, evidence that the company lacked proper legal education.” Another questioned the treatment of employees, asking, “Are they employees or slaves?”
The legal implications of such an action are significant. Privacy laws in China, as in many other countries, prohibit such invasive measures. Companies cannot use surveillance in private spaces like restrooms under any circumstances, making Lixun Diansheng’s actions both unethical and illegal.
A Pattern of Invasive Practices in Chinese Workplaces
The Lixun Diansheng incident is not an isolated case. There has been a troubling trend of Chinese companies adopting invasive practices to monitor employees. In November 2021, GOME, a prominent Chinese electrical appliance retailer, faced criticism for monitoring employees’ internet usage.
The company penalized employees for playing games or chatting online during work hours. This raised questions about the boundaries of employer surveillance and how it impacts employee morale and trust.
Similarly, in 2022, Shenzhen-based Sangfor Technologies introduced a controversial system designed to predict when employees were likely to resign.
The system worked by monitoring their visits to job-seeking websites and tracking their resume submissions. While Sangfor Technologies promoted this as a tool for talent retention, critics saw it as a violation of privacy and a way to stifle employees’ career growth.
These examples paint a disturbing picture of workplace surveillance in China, where companies seem increasingly willing to cross ethical and legal boundaries in the name of productivity. Such practices not only harm employee morale but also create a toxic work environment where trust and mutual respect are eroded.
The actions of Lixun Diansheng serve as a stark reminder of the need for stronger protections for employees in the workplace. Privacy is a fundamental right, and no employer should have the authority to infringe upon it, especially in such a demeaning and unethical manner.
While companies have a legitimate interest in ensuring productivity, there are numerous ways to achieve this without resorting to invasive practices.
The backlash against Lixun Diansheng and similar incidents highlight the growing awareness and resistance among employees and the public to such violations.
It is essential for governments, legal institutions, and organizations to take a stand against these practices and ensure that workplaces remain spaces of dignity and respect.
Moving forward, it is critical for companies to recognize that respecting employee rights is not only a legal obligation but also a cornerstone of building a positive and productive work environment.
For Lixun Diansheng, the damage to its reputation is likely to be lasting, serving as a cautionary tale for other organizations tempted to prioritize productivity over human dignity.
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