A factory owner in China’s Hunan province is gaining significant recognition on mainland social media for his empathetic approach towards his employees’ childcare issues. The owner, known only by his surname, Yuan, runs a factory where employees can bring their children to work. In an innovative move to aid his employees, he has hired two teachers to care for the children during working hours, according to a report by Qingdao Traffic Radio.
In a video filmed by Yuan earlier this month, he is seen interacting with at least 10 children who are enjoying themselves skateboarding and playing outdoors. The video shows the children rushing towards Yuan to greet him as he arrives at the factory. Yuan described the sight of the children running towards him as a profoundly touching scene.
Yuan started the childcare programme out of his awareness that many of his employees struggled with looking after their children while at work. As the working hours extended beyond the school hours, parents were often left worrying about their children’s wellbeing, even if they had figured out makeshift childcare solutions. To address this concern, Yuan instituted the programme where children, post their school hours, are taken care of at the factory. The children engage in play, complete their homework under the guidance of two educators, and wait for their parents to finish work.
This unique initiative has captivated social media users. Many have showered praise on Yuan, with one saying, “A good boss in China. I hope he can make a fortune,” while another humorously asked, “Boss, when can I go to work? Although I haven’t had a child yet.”
Yuan’s story joins a series of narratives about empathetic bosses that are popular on mainland social media. In May, a restaurant owner in eastern China earned online praise for refusing compensation from an elderly man who crashed into his establishment. In August, a central China entrepreneur went viral after donating 32 million yuan (US$4.4 million) to aid more than 4,000 university students from low-income backgrounds to complete their education. Stories like these underscore the profound impact of empathy and understanding in the workplace, highlighting a different facet of business success.
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