A Forced Punishment and a Hospital Ward
A young financial consultant in Hangzhou faces long-term recovery after her manager forced her to perform 200 squats as a workplace penalty. The woman, identified as Yang, started the role in June at a loan assistance firm. Her manager, surnamed Zhang, set daily targets of 200 calls and specific client acquisitions. Failure to meet these numbers on July 28 led to a choice between a 50-yuan fine per task or physical exercise. Yang chose the squats because she lacked the funds for the penalty.
She recorded video evidence of her squats in different parts of the office building to appease her supervisor. Footage shows her stumbling after the final reps, unable to stand upright. She felt significant pain in her legs immediately after the incident. Despite these symptoms, she waited five days before seeking medical care. Her decision to delay care changed once her urine turned dark, a sign of severe physiological stress. Doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyolysis upon arrival at the hospital.
The Medical Crisis and Workplace Fallout
Rhabdomyolysis occurs when damaged muscle tissue dies and releases substances into the bloodstream that the kidneys struggle to filter. Yang’s creatine kinase levels reached 16,000 U/L. This measurement is 16 times higher than the standard diagnostic threshold for the condition. While she avoided complete kidney failure, the physical toll forced her to resign on July 30. She spent 1,400 yuan on initial treatment costs.
Yang alleges the company used unattainable targets to force staff out of their positions. She sought reimbursement for medical bills and requested 15,000 yuan in compensation for the 75 days she remained unable to work. Zhang refused these demands during a confrontation facilitated by a local media outlet. He acknowledged during the interview that his actions violated labor regulations, but he denied that the company bore responsibility for the resulting health crisis.
Labor Laws and Next Steps
Labor inspectors in Hangzhou are currently looking into the incident. The firm faces scrutiny over its internal management practices. Under local law, employers who subject workers to physical punishment face potential detention for up to 15 days. Public reaction has been split between criticizing the management style and highlighting the physical risks taken by employees in high-pressure sales environments. No legal resolution has been finalized as the labor unit continues its inquiry.
This incident highlights a broader tension in sales-heavy industries where managers exert extreme pressure to meet targets. Critics argue that such practices ignore basic human safety standards. As the investigation proceeds, the case serves as a warning about the physical costs of excessive workplace demands. Observers await the outcome of the labor department review to see if criminal or administrative penalties are enforced against the manager. For now, Yang remains focused on recovery after an ordeal that began with a routine shift at a desk.