A company in southern China, Three Brothers Machine Manufacturing Company in Foshan, Guangdong province, has introduced a controversial “Toilet Usage Management Rule,” effective February 11. Under this policy, employees are restricted to using the restroom only during designated time slots and must limit their visits to two minutes. These time slots include before 8 a.m., from 10:30 to 10:40 a.m., during lunch from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., between 3:30 and 3:40 p.m., and from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Workers on overtime shifts are allowed restroom access after 9 p.m. Outside of these intervals, restroom use is only permitted for emergencies, with a strict two-minute limit.
The company claims the rule aims to boost workplace discipline, efficiency, and employee attitudes. Interestingly, the policy is based on traditional Chinese medicine, referencing the Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), a 2,000-year-old text. This ancient text, regarded as a cornerstone of TCM, was cited as a basis for regulating employees’ restroom use.
To enforce compliance, the company will monitor employees with surveillance cameras and impose fines of 100 yuan for violations. Workers with medical conditions requiring restroom access during restricted times must seek approval from the HR department, though they may face salary deductions. The policy is currently in trial phase, with full implementation scheduled for March 1.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the policy’s legality. Chen Shixing, a lawyer from Guangdong Yiyue Law Firm, argued that it violates labor laws by altering working conditions without employee consent. He warned that the policy could harm employees’ health and urged workers to challenge such measures.
