Pang Dong Lai, a Chinese supermarket chain, has introduced a new policy allowing employees to take up to 10 days of “unhappy leave” each year. This initiative is designed to support workers’ mental health by providing time off when they are feeling unhappy.
The company’s founder, Yu Dong Lai, explained that this policy aims to create a better work environment. “Everyone has times when they’re not happy, so if you’re not happy, do not come to work,” Yu said. He also noted that denying this leave would be a policy violation.
In addition to “unhappy leave,” Pang Dong Lai has also reduced the workday to seven hours and offers weekends off. Employees are entitled to 40 days of annual leave and five days off for the Lunar New Year. Yu has criticized long working hours as “unethical” and emphasized the importance of a healthy work-life balance.
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This policy comes in response to a 2021 survey showing that over 65% of Chinese workers feel tired and unhappy at work. Yu’s initiative aims to address these issues and improve overall employee well-being.
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