A Chinese company has come under intense scrutiny after one of its employees revealed that he has told to eat fire. An extreme and controversial team-building activity designed to promote self-confidence. The activity, which required employees to perform fire-eating, has sparked outrage on social media. With many condemning the exercise as abusive and degrading.
The revelations, shared by a worker named Rongrong on a major Chinese social media platform, highlight not only the extent of the questionable practices employed by some companies but also a broader cultural issue regarding workplace dynamics and employee rights in China.
The Controversial Practice to eat fire
According to reports from the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Rongrong claimed her company mandated the fire-eating activity as part of a team-building exercise. The activity was ostensibly intended to encourage employees to face their fears, boost self-confidence, and demonstrate their determination to succeed.
Rongrong explained that participants were required to place a burning cotton bud into their mouths—a dangerous feat that involves controlling one’s breathing, maintaining moisture in the mouth, and precise timing. She reluctantly participated in the exercise, fearing the potential repercussions of refusal, including losing her job.
“The purpose was to show the company’s leadership our determination,” Rongrong said in her post.
“To show that we wanted to win, and we wanted to make money. But I found the entire activity degrading.”
Professional Training and the Prevalence of eat fire Practices
Shockingly, the fire-eating exercise is not an isolated practice confined to Rongrong’s company. As reported by SCMP, Renzhong, a team-building company in eastern China, offers fire-eating training as part of its service lineup. Renzhong claims to provide “professional training” and ensures the presence of fire safety equipment during such events.
Despite these assurances, experts and social media users have criticized the practice. Fire-eating is inherently dangerous and should only be performed by trained professionals under controlled circumstances. The risks include severe burns, inhalation of toxic fumes, and long-term health complications, making it entirely unsuitable as a workplace activity.
Public Outrage on Social Media on eat fire
The revelation of the fire-eating exercise has provoked widespread backlash on Douyin, a popular Chinese social media platform. Many users condemned the practice as unethical and a violation of workers’ rights.
One user wrote,
“Protecting workers under labour laws still has a long way to go.”
Another commented,
“This is nothing but a disguised obedience test.”
Others shared their own harrowing experiences with similar team-building activities. One individual recounted an incident from their previous workplace where employees were forced to stand two meters high, close their eyes, and fall backward, trusting their colleagues to catch them. According to this user, some participants hit the ground because others failed to catch them, causing severe distress.
“I was so scared that I cried,” the user added.
A History of Harsh Team-Building Practices
The controversy surrounding fire-eating is not the first instance of companies pushing extreme or bizarre team-building activities in China. Reports of degrading and dangerous exercises have been widely documented in recent years.
Examples of Previous Incidents
- Crawling on Streets:
In one incident, workers were forced to crawl on the streets at night after losing a team-building game. - Hugging Trash Bins:
Employees were compelled to hug trash bins or approach strangers on the streets to ask for hugs under the guise of boosting confidence. - Eating Spicy Foods:
At some firms, employees were made to eat extremely spicy foods, such as raw chili peppers, as a form of punishment. - Physical Risks:
In another case, participants were required to lie on the ground or endure verbal abuse as part of a bonding exercise.
The Broader Context: Workplace Culture in China
These incidents point to a troubling culture in certain workplaces across China, where employees are subjected to questionable practices under the guise of promoting camaraderie and discipline. While team-building exercises can be valuable tools for improving communication and trust among team members, these activities cross the line into exploitation and abuse.
A significant driver of such practices is the intense pressure on employees to conform and demonstrate loyalty to their employers. For many workers, particularly in competitive sectors, refusal to participate in these exercises may be perceived as a lack of dedication, jeopardizing their job security.
Cultural Factors
In many Asian cultures, including China, collectivism is highly valued, and workers often feel obligated to prioritize group harmony and shared goals over individual comfort or well-being. This can create an environment where employees reluctantly comply with unreasonable demands to avoid being seen as dissenters.
Legal Framework
The widespread outrage over such incidents has also highlighted gaps in the enforcement of labor laws and workplace protections in China. Despite existing regulations designed to safeguard employee welfare, implementation and accountability often fall short, leaving workers vulnerable to mistreatment.
Responses and Criticism
Following Rongrong’s social media post, critics called on the government and regulatory bodies to intervene and establish clear guidelines for workplace practices. Advocates have demanded stricter enforcement of labor laws to prevent further exploitation of employees.
One user wrote,
“Companies like this need to face consequences. This behavior should not be allowed to continue unchecked.”
Some organizations, however, defended unconventional team-building exercises as ways to strengthen resilience and foster team spirit.
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The Ethical Line in Team Building
Effective team-building exercises are those that foster a sense of trust, communication, and mutual respect among employees. Activities that involve degrading, dangerous, or unethical practices undermine these goals and instead create resentment and fear within teams.
Ethical team-building strategies could include collaborative problem-solving games, volunteer activities, or workshops aimed at skill development. Unlike fire-eating or other risky activities, these methods respect individual autonomy and prioritize safety while fostering meaningful connections.
A Call for Change
The fire-eating controversy underscores the need for cultural and legal shifts in the way employee rights are viewed and protected in China. Public outcry and online discussions indicate a growing awareness of these issues among workers, potentially driving changes in workplace norms.
As calls for better oversight and accountability grow louder, businesses must reconsider their approach to team building. Focusing on ethical and effective methods that prioritize employee well-being. Team-building exercises should inspire and engage employees, not degrade or endanger them.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that the well-being of employees is integral to an organization’s success. And reputation—and practices that fail to respect workers’ rights are not only unethical but ultimately unsustainable.