Workers at a supermarket chain get 10 days of 'sad leave'
Ever had those days when you're just too down in the dumps to work? In China, a supermarket chain is giving its employees 10 days of "sad leave" for those not feeling up to task.
Fat Dong Lai, a supermarket chain, announced this special leave on March 26. In addition to the 10 days off, this leave also cannot be rejected by managers.
"Everyone has days when they are sad, that's just human nature," company chairman Yu Dong Lai told the Strait Times.
"But interestingly, when they have this 'sad leave,' they can feel happy once more. This means that they sense the company's understanding and support, and get a taste of work-life balance."
The supermarket chain's employees are free to file the sad leaves whenever they want.
In total, the retail employees then get 40 days of annual leave, plus five days off on Chinese New Year.
Strait Times also reported that Fat Dong Lai provides workers with a supportive environment, seven-hour work days for five days a week, and 5,000 yuan (~P40,000) for on-the-job grievances like customer insults and threats.
Their short seven-hour workdays stand in stark contrast to other Chinese companies' nine-hour workdays for six days a week.
Earlier in April, the supermarket chain made the rounds online as Yu announced overseas vacations for all employees. Higher-ups would get trips to Europe while lower-level staff would go to Japan.
Fat Dong Lai is nicknamed the "Haidilao of supermarkets," and is known for giving customers a one-of-a-kind experience. Those who visit get pampered customer service like blood pressure checks, handbag care, pet feeding stations, manicures, and shoe shines.
