Employees lie flat on the floor, chant slogans to welcome boss in viral video from China

The company denied the authenticity of the video. (Image: screengrabs from video @Ars7513/X)

A shocking video of employees lying prostrate on the floor, chanting slogans to welcome a company boss, has reignited discussions about toxic workplace rituals in China. The clip, reportedly filmed at an education institution in Guangzhou, shows around 20 employees chanting in unison, “Qiming branch welcomes Boss Huang! Qiming branch, whether in life or death, we will not fail our work mission,” as their boss inspects the premises.

The incident, which surfaced on social media, sparked outrage and disbelief, drawing 8 million views on Weibo. Critics have condemned such practices as demeaning, including on social media.

Liu, the legal representative of the institution, denied the authenticity of the video, asserting, “This video has caused lasting negative effects on the company. The content may have been edited or fabricated.” He further clarified that the founding team ceased operations in 2020 and that the company is in the process of dissolution, South China Morning Post reported.

pic.twitter.com/spjCyMyE2l ARSEN (@Ars7513) December 13, 2024

This is not the first time unusual workplace practices have drawn attention in China. In October 2023, an employee in Guangzhou shared that her company required staff to walk 180,000 steps per month or face salary deductions.

In another case, a Henan property management company enforced unscientific weight standards, deducting 500 yuan monthly from employees who failed to meet them. One employee revealed he had lost over 10,000 yuan over two years.

In 2020, a financial company in Chengdu punished underperforming employees by forcing them to eat “death chilli sticks,” resulting in hospitalisation for two women.

China’s labour laws prohibit rules that infringe on employees’ personal lives or dignity.

Companies imposing such unreasonable regulations risk warnings from authorities and may be required to compensate affected employees for financial losses.