Archive · 26 Aug 2026
China Sales Worker Hospitalised After 200-Squat Workplace Punishment
Yang worked in sales at a company in China.
Her manager said workers had to make many calls and find customers each day.
When Yang missed her targets, she was reportedly offered a choice between paying money and doing squats.
She said she could not afford the money, so she did 200 squats.
Afterward, she had severe leg pain and trouble walking.
Five days later, her urine turned dark, which can signal serious muscle damage.
Doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can sometimes harm the kidneys.
She did not develop kidney failure, but her treatment cost about 1,400 yuan.
Yang is seeking compensation, and labour officials said they would investigate.
Yang, a 29-year-old financial consultant in Hangzhou, missed daily tele-sales targets on 28 July.
Her manager, Zhang, reportedly offered 100 squats per missed task or a 50-yuan fine.
Unable to afford the fine, Yang completed 200 squats in batches and later struggled to stand and walk.
Five days later, dark-brown urine led Yang to seek treatment for rhabdomyolysis, with creatine kinase above 16,000 U/L.
Zhang acknowledged corporal punishment violated labour regulations, while Yang sought compensation and filed a labour complaint.
- Who
- Yang, a 29-year-old financial consultant, and her team manager, Zhang.
- What
- Yang performed 200 squats after missing sales targets and was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis.
- When
- The punishment occurred on 28 July; Yang sought hospital treatment five days later and resigned on 30 July, according to the reports.
- Where
- The punishment took place at Yang’s workplace in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China; she was later treated at a hospital.
- Why
- She reportedly missed targets requiring about 200 calls, one prospective client and one customer willing to proceed.
Manager and Company Position
Worker and Labour-Rights Position
Reason for the punishment
Manager and Company Position
Zhang acknowledged that corporal punishment violated labour regulations but said the sales industry required pressure. He disputed that the company was responsible for Yang’s compensation claim.
Worker and Labour-Rights Position
Yang and critics viewed the punishment as unlawful workplace treatment and argued that the targets and physical penalty placed unreasonable pressure on employees.
Compensation
Manager and Company Position
Zhang rejected Yang’s request and reportedly told her to pursue legal action if she believed she had a case. The company was also reported to have offered slightly more than 500 yuan.
Worker and Labour-Rights Position
Yang sought reimbursement for medical and transportation expenses, plus 15,000 yuan for her injury and living costs during recovery.
Wider workplace issue
Manager and Company Position
The reports state that Zhang framed pressure as a feature of sales work, while the company’s labour inspection process was expected to investigate the dispute.
Worker and Labour-Rights Position
Labour-rights activists and online critics said the case reflected a wider pattern of workplace bullying, humiliation and physical punishment in China.
- Daily targets
- Employees were expected to make about 200 calls, invite at least one prospective client and secure one customer willing to move forward.
- Reported penalty
- Yang was reportedly told to do 100 squats for each missed task or pay 50 yuan per task.
- Punishment completed
- She performed 200 squats in batches around the office building and recorded videos as proof.
- Diagnosis
- Doctors diagnosed rhabdomyolysis, a serious breakdown of damaged muscle tissue.
- Reported test result
- Yang’s creatine kinase level was reportedly above 16,000 U/L.
- Treatment cost
- Yang said her medical treatment cost about 1,400 yuan.
- Compensation dispute
- Yang sought reimbursement and 15,000 yuan in compensation; Zhang rejected the demand, according to the report.
- Official response
- Yang filed a complaint with a local labour inspection authority, which said it would investigate.
