- By Ajeet Kumar
- Tue, 16 Dec 2025 02:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
China News: An engineer in eastern China has been fired for taking repeated bathroom breaks lasting more than an hour, despite claiming he was suffering from haemorrhoids, the South China Morning Post reported.
The man, identified by his surname Li and based in Jiangsu province, was dismissed after taking 14 extended toilet breaks between April and May 2024. According to court documents, his longest break lasted nearly 'four hours'.
China's "fired" engineer seeks over Rs 40 lakh compensation
The case came to light after Li sued his employer for illegal termination, seeking compensation of 3,20,000 yuan (about US$45,000). The matter was recently disclosed by the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions.
Li submitted medical evidence, including haemorrhoid medication purchased online by his partner in May and June last year, as well as hospital records from surgery he underwent in January this year. However, the court noted that the medical documents covered a period after many of the prolonged bathroom breaks had already occurred.
The company presented surveillance footage showing Li repeatedly leaving his workstation for extended periods. The court ruled that the time spent in the bathroom “greatly exceeded” normal physical needs.
Engineer failed to inform about medical condition
It also found that Li failed to inform his employer about his medical condition in advance or apply for sick leave, as required under his employment contract. His role required him to remain responsive during work hours, but the company said its attempts to contact him via chat messages went unanswered while he was away.
After reviewing the footage and consulting the labour union, the company terminated Li’s employment. Li had joined the firm in 2010 and renewed an open-ended contract in 2014.
Under the company’s rules, leaving one’s post without permission is considered absence, and accumulating three days of absence within 180 days can lead to immediate dismissal.
Following two rounds of hearings, the court mediated a settlement, persuading the company to provide Li with an allowance of 30,000 yuan (around US$4,200), citing his long service and difficulties in finding new employment.
The issue has also sparked debate over workplace privacy, with some companies facing backlash for installing bathroom timers to monitor employees’ break times.