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A Chinese woman who was ordered to perform 200 squats as punishment for failing to meet her work goals ended up with blood in her urine. South China Morning Post reports that the punishment left the woman unable to stand or walk properly. The woman, identified only as Yang, had recently moved to Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang province, to take up a position as a financial consultant at a loan assistance company in June 2026.

Yang's manager, named Zhang, required every team member to make 200 calls, invite a client, and secure one client with an intention to collaborate each day. When Yang failed to hit her quota and could not pay 50 yuan (S$9.45) for each unsatisfied task, she opted to complete 200 squats to retain her job. Yang documented her squats throughout the office building to serve as proof.

After the squats, she experienced severe leg pain but delayed seeking medical help until dark urine appeared five days later. Yang's creatine kinase level surpassed 16,000 U/L, which is typically enough for a rhabdomyolysis diagnosis. The condition, caused by rapid breakdown of damaged muscle tissue, can result in kidney failure.

Yang recovered without developing kidney failure after spending 1,400 yuan (S$265) on treatment. Disappointed by the company's treatment, Yang resigned on July 30, believing they forced her to quit with unrealistic expectations. Yang demanded reimbursement for her medical expenses, transportation costs, and 15,000 yuan (S$2,836) in compensation for personal injury.

She also approached a local conflict-resolution television show for assistance. The manager acknowledged violating labor laws to a reporter, but claimed the incident was unrelated to the company and refused Yang's compensation requests. Yang lodged her case with the company's labor inspection unit, which assured her they would investigate the matter.

Under Chinese labor laws, employers who inflict physical punishment on their employees could face up to 15 days of detention.