Dongpo Paper Company in Guangdong province, China, sparks controversy with its departure from the traditional performance-based year-end bonus. Instead, the company adopts a fitness-centric rewards system to promote a healthier lifestyle among employees.

In this novel approach, the monthly bonus is tied to employees’ physical activity, with the primary metric being a 50km run to earn the full bonus. Proportional bonuses are granted for lower distances, such as a 60% bonus for a 40km run and a 30% bonus for a 30km run. Additional bonuses are awarded for achieving 100km, and alternative activities like mountain hiking and speed walking contribute to the overall exercise requirement.

The distances are monitored through apps on employees’ phones. Lin Zhiyong, the CEO, defended the initiative, emphasizing the longevity of a company when its employees are healthy. Lin, a two-time Mount Everest summiter, has actively promoted sports and fitness among employees for the past three years.

According to the company’s official WeChat account, most employees qualify for the full bonus, indicating widespread participation in the fitness program. Employees appreciate the new bonus scheme, stating that it allows them to “get both health and money.”

Online reactions vary, with some applauding the company’s fitness promotion efforts, while others express concerns about considering employees’ existing health conditions. Suggestions include adding a bonus for engaging in exercise without tying it to the existing bonus.

Dongpo Paper’s approach mirrors a similar strategy implemented in 2019 by the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication’s canteen. The institute encouraged student workouts by offering free crayfish shares for those exceeding 10,000 steps a day and half-price shares for those surpassing 5,000 steps a day, resulting in a positive response from students.