A company has introduced a distinctive initiative for its employees to earn a substantial bonus.

Many workers desire higher pay, especially given the global cost of living crisis. But would you be willing to engage in more exercise to secure that additional income?

In China, a company is exploring whether its staff are willing to put their physical fitness to the test by replacing the traditional year-end bonus with a novel rewards system.

The Dongpo Paper company in Guangdong province has implemented a scheme tying employee bonuses to the number of miles they run each month.

Lin Zhiyong, the company’s chairman, clarified that this initiative aims to maintain workforce motivation, stating, “My business can only endure if my employees are healthy.”

To qualify for an annual bonus equivalent to 130 percent of their monthly salary, employees must accumulate 62 miles each month. Achieving this target entails running approximately 2 miles daily.

For those finding the goal too ambitious, participation still guarantees a reward. Running 31 miles monthly earns an annual bonus equal to a month’s salary; 60 percent for 24 miles, and 30 percent for 18 miles.

The initiative has generated a varied response on Chinese social media. Some praised the company for the innovative idea, expressing a wish for their employers to incentivize physical fitness.

However, others criticized the decision. One Weibo user suggested, “The company’s policy is well-intentioned, but it should consider any existing health conditions or issues among its employees.”

Another added, “The company should provide an extra bonus for employees engaging in exercise, rather than using the existing bonus as leverage.”

Commentators also raised concerns about the physical demands of the program, with one stating, “You’d have to run two miles a day to meet the monthly target of 62 miles. So, the company wants their staff to be track athletes?”

These requirements were deemed excessive by some, with concerns about potential health issues such as knee problems or acute heart failure, depending on age and physical condition.

What are your thoughts? Would the promise of a substantial bonus motivate you to lace up your running shoes