Chinese company to boost annual bonuses for running mileage

A Chinese paper company, Guangdong Dongpo Paper Co., has revealed an innovative approach to enhance employee well-being by tying bonuses to physical activity levels. Situated in Guangdong province, the company intends to reward employees based on the distance they run, hike, or walk each month, as reported by Guangzhou Daily.

According to the new incentive program introduced by company chairman Lin Zhiyong, a dedicated fitness enthusiast known for conquering the north and south slopes of Mount Everest, employees who achieve a minimum of 100 kilometres (62 miles) monthly will qualify for an annual bonus equivalent to 130 per cent of their monthly salary. Those covering at least 50 kilometres (31 miles) per month will receive a bonus equivalent to one month’s salary.

Approximately 100 employees at Guangdong Dongpo Paper Co. will have their physical activity tracked through an app. Failing to meet the specified targets will lead to a reduction in bonuses, where employees covering less than 40 kilometres (25 miles) will receive only 60 per cent of their total annual bonus. Those who manage only 20 kilometres (12 miles) per month will be eligible for a more modest 30 per cent.

The idea comes into play after Lin “spent more than three years” trying to get his employees to exercise more. In a bid to encourage consistent participation, employees logging 50 kilometres (31 miles) for six consecutive months will be rewarded with a new pair of running shoes.

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The novel bonus scheme has garnered positive feedback from employees, with one stating, “not only do they exercise, but they also get paid. It kills two birds with one stone.” However, some skepticism has surfaced on the Chinese social media site Weibo, with one user writing, “100 kilometres a month and 3,000 metres a day? Does this require employees to become long-distance runners?” Another expressed concern about the company’s future: “You can pay attention to the future direction of this company. I think it may go bankrupt in the next five years.”