Chinese man fired after refusing to perform at company party, wins lawsuit

According to a case published by the Shenzhen Trade Union, the employee declined a request from company leadership to perform at the event, citing a heavy workload. The company head reportedly viewed the refusal as "disrespectful," and the employee was issued a termination notice the following day, Sin Chew Daily reported on Jan. 22.

The company argued that the man's refusal amounted to disobedience of company arrangements and absenteeism, which it classified as a serious disciplinary violation.

The employee contested the decision and sought redress through labor arbitration. After arbitration proceedings, a first-instance ruling, and a second-instance mediation, the court ultimately found that the dismissal violated labor law and ordered the company to pay a lump-sum compensation, Mothership reported.

In response to the case, the Shenzhen Trade Union said employers must clearly distinguish between mandatory work duties and voluntary company activities such as annual meetings or banquets. Events that carry no attendance requirement or penalty for non-participation should be treated as employee benefits rather than work obligations, it said.

The union emphasized that employers cannot use annual gatherings as a pretext to exercise disciplinary power, noting that employees have the right to refuse non-mandatory activities without facing termination or wage deductions.