Company under fire for streaming staff working at office to “enhance customer trust”

A Chinese snack company is facing backlash after streaming its employees working in the office during the weekend.

When you’re at work, one of the last things you’d expect is for your company to start broadcasting you to the world, but that’s what happened to employees at Chinese snack wholesaler Miaohuo Net.

According to Live Mint, the company, based out of Zhengzhou, showed its 15 staff members working through a live stream video app.

The company’s owner, Mr Xing, defended this practice, saying that this wasn’t the first time they’ve done and by streaming workers at the office, it shows they are “honest and transparent” while boosting customer trust.

Streaming office employees sparks backlash

Although the cameras were visible at all times and no staff complained with one even linkening the situation to people streaming from tourist hotspots, the reaction on social media told a different story.

“How can any employee voice dissatisfaction in this environment?” one remarked.

“We are corporate slaves, expected to follow our bosses’ orders without the ability to say no,” another chimed in.

Although employees at Miaohuo Net are typically off on weekends, some workers, such as the ones streamed, are paid extra to come in on their days off to finish tasks.

Xing says that streaming staff during the weekend is a practice that’s been ongoing for sometime and doesn’t intend on stopping it, despite complaints from those online.

In fact, according to the South China Morning Post, Miaohuo Net has made multiple social media accounts dedicated to showing off its employees and continue to promote the company through short form video such as TikTok and other forms of content.

“Some companies claim to have a team but actually outsource their work; we want to assure people that we are a legitimate company with a dedicated team,” the company owner explained.