Company provides bonus to curb online shopping

A technology company in Chongqing has given a 1,111 yuan ($182) bonus to employees who did not shop online during working hours on Singles Day, which fell on November 11. Singles Day is one of China's biggest online shopping festivals. The bonus was met with admiration by Web users after news of it was posted online.

The notice had been put up early on the morning of November 11. It read: "The company will give each employee a bonus of 1,111 yuan to avoid distraction caused by online shopping. The bonus will be canceled to those who shop online during working hours. "

Employees felt happy at such a generous surprise by their company, which proved effective after productivity remained high.

"I resisted the urge to shop online because of the 1,111 yuan bonus. I spent about 400 yuan on commodities online after work, and felt so happy that the company paid the bill," said an employee, surnamed Lei.

"Efficiency suffers if employees are distracted by online shopping. It is better if they can concentrate on work knowing they will receive such a bonus, " explained Ma Xuefeng, general manager of the company.