Man Fired After Walking 16,000 Steps on Sick Leave
A Chinese man named Chen has won a long-running legal battle against his former employer after being fired for allegedly faking an illness all because his boss found out he had walked 16,000 steps while on sick leave.
The incident dates back to 2019, when Chen, an employee at a company in Jiangsu province, took time off after straining his back at work. He provided medical documents to support his sick leave, which was duly approved. After a month of rest, Chen returned briefly but soon requested another week off due to pain in his right foot. A doctor diagnosed him with a heel spur and advised rest.
As his absence continued, the company asked Chen to submit hospital records in person. However, when he arrived at the office, security reportedly denied him entry. Days later, he was terminated for absenteeism, with the company claiming he had exaggerated his condition.
Unwilling to accept the decision, Chen filed for labour arbitration, asserting that his medical leave was legitimate. The tribunal sided with him, ordering the company to pay 118,779 yuan (around ₹14.8 lakh) as compensation.
“The company then took Chen to court. It presented surveillance footage showing Chen running towards the company on the day he applied for sick leave for foot pain. It also provided a chat software record showing Chen walked more than 16,000 steps on that day,” the report highlighted.
Chen countered, insisting the evidence was unreliable and that his hospital documents clearly proved his condition. The court ultimately ruled in his favour again, confirming the dismissal was illegal and ordering the company to pay compensation for both trials.
What began as a simple sick leave ended in a legal showdown proving that sometimes, even 16,000 steps can lead to a long journey toward justice.
The incident dates back to 2019, when Chen, an employee at a company in Jiangsu province, took time off after straining his back at work. He provided medical documents to support his sick leave, which was duly approved. After a month of rest, Chen returned briefly but soon requested another week off due to pain in his right foot. A doctor diagnosed him with a heel spur and advised rest.
As his absence continued, the company asked Chen to submit hospital records in person. However, when he arrived at the office, security reportedly denied him entry. Days later, he was terminated for absenteeism, with the company claiming he had exaggerated his condition.
Unwilling to accept the decision, Chen filed for labour arbitration, asserting that his medical leave was legitimate. The tribunal sided with him, ordering the company to pay 118,779 yuan (around ₹14.8 lakh) as compensation.
“The company then took Chen to court. It presented surveillance footage showing Chen running towards the company on the day he applied for sick leave for foot pain. It also provided a chat software record showing Chen walked more than 16,000 steps on that day,” the report highlighted.
Chen countered, insisting the evidence was unreliable and that his hospital documents clearly proved his condition. The court ultimately ruled in his favour again, confirming the dismissal was illegal and ordering the company to pay compensation for both trials.
What began as a simple sick leave ended in a legal showdown proving that sometimes, even 16,000 steps can lead to a long journey toward justice.
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