A Chinese restaurant patron was shocked to observe two Haidilao employees performing squats while pulling their ears, which appeared to be a form of punishment outside the restaurant’s Guangdong Province location. The incident was shared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu by a user named “Crazy Rabbit” on February 26.
The user posted a photo of a person dressed in black watching the employees while they were performing the squats. “I couldn’t believe that I would witness physical disciplining at Haidilao in this day and age,” the user wrote. The user also expressed relief that they did not end up joining the company after applying for a position with Haidilao, especially after witnessing the employees’ treatment.
The user expressed sympathy for the employees, noting that being a worker is challenging enough without having to endure such punishments. “While a Haidilao employee’s salary is not low, I still think the employees should not be treated as such,” the user added.
Haidilao is a popular Chinese hot pot restaurant chain known for its exceptional customer service, but the incident raises concerns about the company’s labor practices. The restaurant has not yet issued a statement regarding the matter.
Mistreatment
This incident highlights the issue of employee mistreatment in some companies, particularly in the service industry. The fact that former Haidilao employees have come forward to share their own experiences of mistreatment at the company is concerning and raises questions about the company’s overall treatment of its employees.
It is important for companies to treat their employees with respect and fairness, regardless of the industry. Physical punishment, such as making employees do squats while pulling their own ears, is not an acceptable form of discipline and can be considered a violation of workers’ rights.
Haidilao has yet to respond to the user’s queries regarding the incident, which is disappointing. The company should take the allegations seriously and conduct an investigation into the matter. If the allegations are found to be true, the company should take appropriate action to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.
Furthermore, the company should review its policies and practices to ensure that they are in line with labor laws and regulations. This includes providing fair compensation, reasonable working hours, and a safe and respectful work environment.
As consumers, we can also play a role in advocating for workers’ rights. We can choose to support businesses that prioritize their employees’ well-being and avoid those that engage in mistreatment. By doing so, we can help create a more fair and just society for all.