Four hour bathroom break leads to engineer lawsuit in China

A Chinese engineer sued his former employer in Jiangsu Province after being fired for taking long and frequent bathroom breaks during work hours. The unnamed company told the court it logged 14 extended bathroom visits across a 30 day period from April to May 2024. Surveillance footage showed the longest absence lasted four hours. Company lawyers said managers messaged Li on a workplace chat app during his disappearances but received no replies. They added his engineering role required constant availability on the job. Li argued the breaks were medically necessary, submitting haemorrhoid medicine bought online in May and June 2024 and surgery records dated January 2025. He demanded 320,000 yuan, about $45,000, in compensation. The court rejected the claim, ruling the bathroom time greatly exceeded physical needs. Judges also said Li failed to inform the company of his condition or request medical leave as required. After two trials, both sides settled, with the company paying 30,000 yuan, roughly $4,200, citing Li’s past contributions and financial hardship. Even personal emergencies, the court suggested, have workplace limits.