China company sets up monthly bonus and staff must run at least 50km to qualify in the belief firm can only thrive if ‘employees are healthy’
- Firm replaces performance-based scheme with one that depends on amount of exercise staff do
- Mountain-climbing boss wants workers to enjoy sports and good health as he does
A Chinese company has controversially replaced its year-end bonus with a new rewards system for employees aimed at motivating them to keep fit and healthy.
The Dongpo Paper company in Guangdong province recently cancelled its traditional annual performance-based bonus in favour of a monthly one that depends on the amount of exercise undertaken by individuals.
The new policy means an employee will enjoy a full monthly bonus if they run 50km a month; 60 per cent for running 40km, and 30 per cent for 30km. Meanwhile, those who run 100km a month will receive an extra 30 per cent.
The scheme also takes into account mountain hiking and speed walking, which could account for 60 and 30 per cent respectively of the total exercise required.
The distance is calculated by apps on the employees’ phones.
As news of the company’s innovative policy went viral on Chinese social media, the company’s boss, Lin Zhiyong, explained the value of such a scheme for employers: “A company can last long when its employees are healthy”.
