Rahul MUpdated: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 04:10 PM IST

Every company has its policies and regulations, which employees follow irrespective of their likes and dislikes. A strange rule reportedly enforced at a workplace in China's Guangdong province has caught the attention of the internet as it limits the time of people wanting to use the loo. Wait, who does that?

Toilet break policy

Three Brothers Machine Manufacturing Company, situated in Foshan rolled out the "Toilet Usage Management Rule", claiming that the guideline was issued considering the health of its employees. It asked staffers to adhere to a two-minute toilet break and during specified time slots, otherwise, seek HR approval to exercise any leverage.

Employees needing more than the said bathroom access were asked to approach HR and seek approval to use the premises during restricted times due to special physical conditions or health demands.

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The company regulation's pilot run came into effect on February 11 and official implementation is planned for March 1.

The recent rule conditioned people to pee, poop, and return in the allotted time. However, there was no clear mention of any punishment if employees took extra time to return to their desks.

Company states health reasons

Local media reported that the move came in reference to an ancient text. The Yangcheng Evening News stated that the manufacturing company associated the new company practice with the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon, or Huang Di Nei Jing.

The company’s policy, as stated in a report by South China Morning Post, allowed workers to rush to the toilet and use it for two minutes during any of the slots: Before 8am, from 10.30am to 10.40am, between 12 noon and 1.30pm, from 3.30pm to 3.40pm, from 5.30pm to 6pm, or directly after 9 pm. During other time periods, employees were allowed to urinate with a quick break of only two minutes.

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