Chinese Company Faces Backlash for Making Employees Eat Fire in Team-Building Exercise
A Chinese company is facing backlash after an employee revealed a controversial team-building activity that involved eating fire to boost self-confidence. The worker, identified as Rongrong, shared her experience on social media, expressing her fear and discomfort with the practice.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Rongrong disclosed that she felt pressured to participate in the fire-eating exercise out of fear of losing her job. She described the process as challenging, requiring performers to control their breathing and timing precisely to ensure safety.
The purpose of the activity, as stated by Rongrong, was to demonstrate determination and a desire to succeed in front of company leadership. However, she later expressed feeling degraded by the experience.
This incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users criticizing the company for subjecting employees to such extreme and potentially dangerous activities. Some users pointed out that this type of behavior is a violation of labor laws and serves as a disguised obedience test rather than a genuine team-building exercise.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as reports of harsh treatment during team-building exercises have surfaced in the past. From crawling on streets at night to hugging trash bins and strangers, employees have been subjected to uncomfortable and humiliating activities in the name of building confidence and camaraderie.
As the story continues to gain attention online, it raises questions about the boundaries of team-building practices and the importance of ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.