'Get married…by September or get fired': Chinese firm to employees
What's the story
A company in China's Shandong province has sparked controversy after threatening termination of employees who remain unmarried by September.
The Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group Co. Ltd issued the mandate to its single and divorced employees aged between 28 and 58 years.
The company's notice also required those not married by March to write a self-criticism letter, with an "evaluation" for those unmarried by June.'Get married...by September or get fired': Chinese firm to employees
Policy intent
Company's marriage mandate aims to promote cultural values
The Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group Co. Ltd clarified that the policy was intended to promote values like "diligence, kindness, loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness."
However, the move drew severe backlash on Chinese social media. Users claimed it breached legal and social norms.
One user wrote, "Corporate rules should not override laws or social morals," while others highlighted that Chinese marriage law ensures freedom of marriage.
Policy revocation
Local bureau intervenes, company revokes controversial notice
After the public outcry, the local human resources and social security bureau intervened. The officials issued a correction order for labor law violations, resulting in the company's controversial notice being revoked.
The Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group Co. Ltd confirmed the development and promised to improve its internal management system.
A company representative admitted their initiative was overly simplistic and had erroneously become a rigid policy.