Archive · 14 Dec 2025
Chinese Engineer Fired for Long Bathroom Breaks
A man named Li, who worked as an engineer in China, was fired for taking very long bathroom breaks.
Some of these breaks lasted up to four hours, and he took 14 of them in just two months.
Li said he had a medical condition called haemorrhoids, but his company showed videos of his breaks and said they were too long.
Li tried to sue the company for unfair firing, but in the end, they agreed to pay him some money to settle the argument.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened in China.
Other people have also been fired for taking long bathroom breaks, and the courts usually side with the companies.
Li, an engineer in Jiangsu Province, was fired for taking 14 extended bathroom breaks between April and May 2024, with the longest lasting 4 hours.
Li claimed he had haemorrhoids and presented medication and hospital records as evidence, but the company used surveillance footage to justify his termination.
The company's contract stated that unapproved absences totalling three working days within 180 days would lead to termination.
After a lawsuit and two rounds of trial, the court mediated a settlement where the company agreed to pay Li 30,000 yuan (US$4,200) in compensation.
This case is part of a broader debate in China about workplace rights and medical accommodations, with courts often balancing employee rights against company productivity.
- Who
- Li, an engineer from Jiangsu Province, China
- What
- Fired for taking extended bathroom breaks
- When
- Between April and May 2024
- Where
- Jiangsu Province, China
- Why
- Company cited excessive work disruption and unapproved absences
Company's Perspective
Li's Perspective
Reason for Termination
Company's Perspective
The company terminated Li for excessive and unapproved absences, citing surveillance footage and company policy.
Li's Perspective
Li claimed his long bathroom breaks were due to haemorrhoids, a medical condition requiring frequent and lengthy bathroom visits.
Medical Evidence
Company's Perspective
The company argued that Li's medical evidence was insufficient and submitted after many of the incidents occurred.
Li's Perspective
Li presented online purchase records for haemorrhoid medication and hospital records showing he underwent surgery in January 2024.
Contract Compliance
Company's Perspective
The company stated that Li failed to inform them about his condition or apply for sick leave as required by his contract.
Li's Perspective
Li believed his medical condition justified his actions, but he did not follow the proper procedure to inform the company.
- Employee Name
- Li (surname only)
- Location
- Jiangsu Province, China
- Duration of Breaks
- Up to 4 hours
- Number of Breaks
- 14 between April and May 2024
- Compensation Awarded
- 30,000 yuan (US$4,200)
- Compensation Sought
- 320,000 yuan (US$45,000)
- Employment Duration
- 2010 to 2024
- Contract Term
- Unapproved absences totalling 3 working days within 180 days lead to termination
