Chinese employee's dismissal over workplace meme sparks online debate

(ECNS) -- A Chinese employee's claim that he was fired for posting a popular internet meme on WeChat has sparked heated debate online, prompting discussions about workplace expectations and the boundaries of employers' disciplinary powers.

In a social media post, the employee said he had updated his WeChat status on a Monday with the phrase "I'm drawing a circle around myself, Monday," jokingly expressing his frustration with the start of the workweek. He was summoned by his manager later that day and accused of having a poor work attitude before being dismissed.

The employee said on Nov. 8 that he had since left the company and received compensation. However, the company has yet to comment publicly or respond to media inquiries, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged dismissal have not been independently verified.

The phrase originated from the variety show "I Miss You," in which Chinese singer Xu Fei tearfully told her longtime estranged friend Li Na, "I'm drawing a circle around myself, Li Na." The clip went viral on social media, turning the phrase into a popular expression for joking about feeling trapped or frustrated by one's circumstances.

The employee said he had expected to be let go, adding that the accusation of a poor work attitude merely gave the company an opportunity to dismiss him.

Piao Yidan, a lawyer at Beijing Xingquan Law Firm, told China News Service that WeChat status updates are generally visible only to a user's contacts. A phrase such as "drawing a circle around oneself" would more likely be seen as a self-deprecating joke than evidence of misconduct, making it difficult for an employer to cite it as a legitimate reason for terminating an employment contract.

Dismissing an employee on such grounds could amount to unlawful termination, she said.

Piao advised employees involved in dismissal disputes to preserve relevant evidence, including termination notices, recordings of conversations with managers, and screenshots of their original social media posts showing the visibility settings and context.

The burden of proof in disputes over dismissal generally falls on the employer, she said. Employees should also carefully review any agreements before signing, particularly the terms concerning statutory severance and compensation for unlawful termination.

(By Zhang Dongfang)