A performing arts company in East China is giving its single, 30-and-over female employees some extra days off during the Spring Festival holiday in the hope that they can find a mate, leading to an online storm from men in the same age range and relationship status.
The holiday notice from the company in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, which went viral on Monday, is giving its female employees who meet the two required criteria an extra eight days of paid holiday and more if needed for "blind dates."
Some netizen on Sina Weibo said the notice discriminates against men, but the company is unapologetic.
"Our female employees have fewer opportunities to meet male privately because their job category is mainly performing and acting," an employee surnamed Huang in human resources department told the Pear Video.
"Our male employees often go out on business, so it is easier for them to find a girlfriend," said Huang.
The holiday notice also says if the potential Spring Festival meet-ups result in a marriage before December 31, the company will double its 2019 year-end bonus. The deadline of the application is January 31.
Many employees are satisfied with the company's benefits.
"My relatives arrange blind dates for me every year. However, I don't have much time to communicate with the guy since the Spring Festival holiday is short," a female employee told a Chongqing-based news outlet.
"For the sake of our country's lowering birthrate, please find your Mr. Right and have babies," one Weibo user joked on the female employees.
