An Employee in China Won 365 Days of Paid Leave at Work
Office parties usually come with predictable rewards like gift cards, small bonuses, or a raffle prize that covers dinner for two. But one company event in southern China sparked debate over work, money, and the value of time away from the office. It ended with a prize so unusual that millions of people online began arguing about what they would do in the same situation.
A Surprise Prize
The story traces back to April 9, 2023, when a company in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, held its annual dinner. The event had not taken place in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so organizers decided to make the evening more memorable than usual. Employees gathered for food, celebration, and a raffle organized by the firm’s administrative department.
The lucky draw included a mix of prizes and penalties to keep things entertaining. Some participants could win small perks, such as one or two extra days of paid leave. Others might draw a penalty, such as serving as a waiter for the evening or drinking a special homemade drink.
Then came the grand prize. The reward listed on one raffle ticket promised 365 days of paid leave. According to a company administrative employee, Ms. Chen, the prize was meant as a surprise addition to the draw after discussions with the company’s boss. The team expected the ticket to add excitement. They did not expect anyone to actually pull it.
The Winner Who Couldn’t Believe It
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The winning ticket went to a male employee who holds a managerial role at the company. His identity has never been publicly revealed. Video footage shared on Chinese social media shows the man seated in a banquet hall holding an oversized cheque with the words “365 days of paid leave.” Even the winner seemed unsure what had just happened.
According to colleagues, he repeatedly asked if the prize was real. Ms. Chen later said the boss also looked shocked when the ticket was drawn. No one involved had fully considered how the company would handle a full year away from work. Still, the prize stood, and the boss agreed to honor it.
The Internet Reacts With Envy and Debate
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The moment spread quickly online. A related hashtag on Weibo reached about 270 million views, while the video circulated widely on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok. Social media users across the country weighed in with reactions that ranged from jealousy to practical career advice.
Some people joked about applying for jobs at the company, while others raised a different concern. A full year away could change someone’s position at work. One user on Douyin asked a blunt question. Would the employee return after a year and discover someone else had taken his job? Another group pointed out that 12 months away might mean missing out on raises, bonuses, or promotions. A few commenters suspected the smartest option would be to convert the leave into cash.
Then came the entrepreneurial crowd. Some users argued that the winner could treat the year as a paid break while starting a business on the side. The salary would continue to be paid each month while new opportunities took shape.
What the Company Plans to Do Next
After the online debate exploded, the company confirmed it would honor the unusual prize. Ms. Chen explained that management spoke directly with the winner to work out how the reward would be used. Instead of disappearing from work for a full year, the employee had options. He could take an extended leave, convert part of the prize into cash, or arrange a combination of the two.
Interestingly, Shenzhen has seen a similar situation before. Chinese media reported that another company offered 365 days of paid leave in a lucky draw in January 2022. In that case, the winner converted part of the reward into cash and donated a portion to charity.