Whether it’s employees not clocking in 15 minutes ahead of start time, or turning on the air conditioning before the temperature reaches 30°C, a company requires employees who violate these rules to pay a fine called 'Growth Money'. What’s even more bizarre is that taking one day of leave actually results in two days’ pay being deducted.
According to China’s 'Dafeng News', Ms. Cao works at a company in Xi’an, China, and this company has multiple 'fine' policies she finds hard to accept. For example, work starts at 9 a.m., but employees are required to clock in before 8:45 a.m.; if they are even one minute late, they have to pay 'Growth Money' (which is essentially a fine). Also, if the air conditioning is turned on before the summer indoor temperature reaches 30°C, employees will be fined.
What’s more upsetting to her is that the company, citing losses in most areas so far this year, began 'crisis management' in July, meaning that taking one day off will result in two days' wages being deducted.
The reporter saw in Ms. Cao’s phone chat group that quite a few employees had paid Growth Money, usually ranging from 5 yuan (about 3 ringgit) to 20 yuan (about 12 ringgit). For example, missing the Monday morning meeting in Room 405 requires paying 20 yuan Growth Money; not cleaning the office restroom properly results in a 10 yuan fine.
Ms. Cao believes these unreasonable regulations are essentially a disguised reduction of employee income. She has raised concerns with management multiple times, but the matter remains unresolved and relations are tense.
“One of the company leaders told me, 'Come to work if you want, leave if you don’t.' I’m no longer planning to return to the company, but I believe the company should compensate me.”
The reporter accompanied Ms. Cao to confront the company. In response to Ms. Cao’s concerns, Mr. Zhang, the company’s Director of Administration and HR, said: “The company has clear policies; if they are established, they must be enforced.”
He also explained that, as headquarters and all regions are facing performance pressure recently, the company hopes employees will overcome difficulties together with the company. Regarding Ms. Cao leaving on the 8th without procedures, Mr. Zhang said, “She left without asking for leave.” On the topic of year-end bonuses, he said, “There’s only a bonus if the company has a profit. This year business is bad, unlike previous years when we gave them due to good performance.”
Mr. Zhang also disclosed that a notice was issued on July 7, stating that as most areas had suffered losses so far this year, the company would enter crisis management from July. They plan to promote growth through meetings, supervision, adjustments, and extra effort to reverse losses. From July 7 to August 31, for employees at the dean-level and above, one day of leave is counted as two days (excluding normal public holidays).
Ms. Cao said she has filed a complaint and will pursue the matter through labor arbitration.