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A senior manager in eastern China, who was dismissed for kissing a female employee at work, later won a court case against his employer, a legal battle that only came to public attention years later and has since sparked heated debate on social media. The manager, identified only as Lin, was a production supervisor at a foreign-owned shipping company in Qingdao, Shandong province. In May 2015, the company fired him after security footage showed him hugging and kissing a female subordinate, surnamed Shi, on the stairs inside the office building.

The company accused Lin of sexual harassment and of abusing his position by giving Shi unfair promotions. His dismissal was based on alleged violations of the company’s internal policies and expected standards of behaviour. Lin denied the allegations, arguing that the interaction was consensual and that he did not receive any personal benefit from the situation. He filed a lawsuit demanding his job back and financial compensation for the time he was unemployed.

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What court observed

The initial court in Qingdao ruled in favour of the company, saying Lin's behaviour was inappropriate for a person in a leadership role and went against the company's executive code of conduct. As a result, the court found the termination to be lawful.

High court's shocking verdict 

However, Lin appealed the decision. During the appeal, the female employee involved, Shi, testified that she had a “good relationship” with Lin and that he had never harassed or threatened her. The appellate court then reviewed the case more closely. The higher court concluded that while the company had rules encouraging good moral and professional conduct, these were not binding regulations that could justify termination unless a clear policy violation or personal gain was proven. The court also noted that there was no evidence showing Lin benefited professionally or financially from his relationship with Shi.

In February 2017, the appellate court ordered the company to reinstate Lin and pay him compensation based on his annual salary of 1.13 million yuan (around US$157,000). The compensation covered the period he was wrongfully dismissed.

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The verdict, however, remained out of public view until May 22, 2025, when the Shanghai General Trade Union published a summary of the case online as part of a campaign to educate workers about their legal rights.

Social media reacts to court's verdict 

The delayed release of the case details immediately drew attention on Chinese social media, with users sharply divided in opinion. Some said the case highlighted the importance of understanding labour laws and protecting employee rights. Others felt the ruling ignored social ethics and workplace professionalism.

One user commented, “This case reminds us to learn the law to protect ourselves.” Another asked, “Why didn’t the court consider that their actions went against public morals?”
The case continues to stir discussion across China, touching on issues of consent, power dynamics in the workplace, and the limits of company policies versus the law.