In China, a court has recognized the lawful dismissal of an engineer named Li who regularly left his workplace for long trips to the toilet, citing health problems. The employee from Jiangsu Province took 14 toilet breaks between April and May 2024, with each break lasting more than an hour and the longest lasting four hours. His employer terminated the employment contract, deeming it unauthorized absence.
Lee filed a lawsuit claiming unlawful dismissal and demanding compensation of 320,000 yuan (approximately $45,000). He presented evidence including hemorrhoid medications purchased in spring 2024 and documents for surgical treatment performed in January 2025.
However, the court determined that the medical certificates pertained to a later period and did not confirm the need for such extended toilet breaks during work hours. Additionally, Lee failed to notify his employer of his health condition or submit sick leave as required by contract.
The company also provided CCTV footage and communication records showing that Lee did not respond to work messages despite being expected to be accessible at all times.
The court concluded that the time spent in the toilet “significantly exceeded his physiological needs.” Following two court proceedings, the parties reached an amicable settlement: the company paid Li 30,000 yuan (approximately $4,500), taking into account his seniority and difficult circumstances after dismissal.
