Man Fired for Napping at Work Wins Legal Battle After 20 Years of Service

Employee Fired for Napping at Work: The Story of Zhang

Zhang, a manager at a chemical company in Taixing, China, faced unexpected consequences after sleeping at his desk. After 20 years in the company, he was caught on CCTV taking a one-hour nap during work hours. This incident led to his dismissal.

Zhang claimed he was exhausted from working late the night before. During a viral WeChat conversation with HR, he confirmed he had slept for approximately one hour. The HR team consulted with the labor union, and the company decided to terminate his employment for violating the company’s strict discipline policy.

The company informed Zhang that his behavior was a serious breach of rules. They pointed out that his contract, signed in 2004, included terms on workplace conduct. Zhang was upset about the decision, arguing that he did not cause any significant loss to the company.

The court agreed that the company had the right to fire employees who break rules. However, the court noted that this was Zhang’s first offense and did not significantly harm the company. The judge highlighted Zhang’s long record of good performance, seeking to provide an understanding of the severity of the dismissal.

In the end, the court found that firing Zhang for one incident was excessive. They ordered the company to pay him compensation of 350 yuan (about $50).

This case raises questions about workplace policies and the treatment of employees, especially regarding long-term service and minor infractions.