Several companies in China have sparked outrage with their strong support for a toxic workplace culture, causing insecurity and anxiety among employees. A report by the South China Morning Post revealed how employers installed cameras and smart seats to micromanage their teams, blurring privacy and boundaries in the workplace.
Employees flag intrusive monitoring practices
In one such case, a woman was shocked to discover a security camera had been installed above her seat after she refused to go on a business trip because she was unwell. The woman, who works at a technology company in southern China’s Guangzhou region, claimed her manager warned her against using private chats during office hours and told her to check her camera’s memory card. She later discovered that the card contained everything from text to images on her phone and laptop.
Another case, reported by Southern Metropolis Daily, highlighted how smart seats capable of monitoring employee health – from breathing to sitting – were introduced.
One employee said she was questioned for taking a break between 10:00 and 10:30 and threatened with a reduction in pay. “I found it scary and uncomfortable,” she said.
Strict rules and penalties are a concern
Things were even worse at an advertising company in Fuzhou, where toilet breaks were limited, requiring employees to walk in and out by scanning their fingerprints and fining those who overstayed.
Meanwhile, experts note that Chinese law allows some level of monitoring, especially on workplace devices. Companies often defend such oversight as necessary to protect trade secrets and reduce internal risks. In some cases, courts have also held that monitoring browsing activity on office computers does not invade privacy because the devices are intended for work use.
But legal experts warn that the boundaries remain unclear. Employees must be informed of surveillance practices, and surveillance should not extend to non-work-related private information.
Social networks are responding
One online user said: “If companies don’t want me to deal with non-work matters during office hours, they should also ensure that work is not discussed outside of work hours.”
“This sounds less like going to work and more like being in prison. If people are reduced to tools, it will eventually backfire on companies,” commented another.
