Dongpo Paper, a company located in Guangdong province, has recently made headlines with its unconventional approach to employee bonuses. In a significant shift from the usual annual performance-based bonus, the company has introduced a monthly bonus system linked directly to the physical fitness activities of its staff. This novel initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to promote health and wellness among its workforce.
Under the new policy, employees are rewarded based on their commitment to exercise, measured in terms of kilometers run each month. A full monthly bonus is awarded to those who run 50km, while running 40km and 30km in a month results in receiving 60% and 30% of the bonus, respectively. Ambitiously, employees who manage to run 100km in a month are entitled to an additional 30% bonus. The scheme also considers other physical activities like mountain hiking and speed walking, contributing significantly to the monthly exercise quota.
The measurement of physical activity is facilitated by tracking apps on employees’ smartphones, ensuring accurate and fair distribution of bonuses. This initiative is spearheaded by the company’s boss, Lin Zhiyong, a fitness enthusiast who has twice summited Mount Everest and is a staunch advocate for healthy living. Lin’s philosophy is that a company’s longevity is intertwined with the health of its employees.
The policy has been effective, with Lin revealing that the majority of the staff qualify for the full bonus amount. Employees have positively received the new scheme, with some citing improved health metrics like reduced blood sugar levels due to increased physical activity.
However, the introduction of this fitness-based bonus system has sparked a mix of reactions online. While some netizens commend the innovative approach to incentivizing health, others express concerns about the potential exclusion of employees with pre-existing health conditions. Suggestions have been made that the company should consider adding extra bonuses for those who engage in physical activities, rather than replacing the existing bonus structure.
This initiative by Dongpo Paper is not the first of its kind in China. In 2019, the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication introduced a similar health-focused campaign in its canteen, offering free or discounted crayfish based on the number of steps students walked daily. This campaign too received an enthusiastic response, highlighting a growing trend in China of integrating fitness and health incentives into various aspects of life, including the workplace.
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