China Radio International, Chengdu, February 19 - According to the Voice of China on CRI News, after the Spring Festival, many people's weights have surged due to overindulgence in rich foods. A Chengdu IT company has recently established a new regulation: employees are required to work standing up for 30 minutes in both the morning and afternoon sessions, with bonuses of up to 400 yuan available for those who lose the most weight. For more details, we connect with Jia Limiang, reporter stationed in Sichuan for the Central Station.
Host: Please first introduce the specific regulations of this company's weight loss incentive measures?
Reporter: This company formulated a new rule encouraging employee weight loss and fitness after the Spring Festival, requiring all employees to work standing up for 30 minutes in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Employees ranked in the top four for weight loss will receive rewards ranging from 100 to 400 yuan. All employees participating in the weight loss plan and who can persist through the entire process will also receive corresponding rewards. Additionally, the company encourages employees to work standing up for an hour each day, thereby helping them avoid office syndrome.
Host: After the Spring Festival, many people plan to lose weight. Why does this company encourage its employees to lose weight and even use material incentives such as these?
Reporter: From previous reports, we understand that standing while working has already been advocated in Silicon Valley in the U.S., with the aim being to reduce the health impacts of prolonged sitting. Now, this company encourages employees to stand while working mainly to reduce discomfort in the neck and waist caused by long periods spent facing a computer. Besides helping overweight employees shed pounds, it also hopes that all employees can stay away from office syndrome. Furthermore, much of this company’s work involves dealing with clients outside the office, so having healthy, upright employee appearances also serves as a good business card for the company.