Chinese investment firms and banks are asking their essential staff to stay at the office late this week. Real late, as in all night, every night.  The financial firms are offering those employees between $80 and $315 to have a week-long sleepover, and some of those companies are going the extra mile by providing sleeping bags, food, and toiletries.  The really generous employers are placing folding beds underneath the desks of workers. 

China is in the middle of a significant COVID outbreak, and the country is actually admitting it this time, reporting over 25,000 cases since March 1 in the city of 26 million. In Shanghai, a staggered lockdown began Monday in the eastern half of the city. 11 million people were ordered to stay inside for at least four days. On Friday, the western half of Shanghai, with over 14 million people living there, will begin its lockdown. 

Quarters are tight in some workplaces when employees are forced to stay at the office. A media outlet controlled by the government called china.com.cn showed what it was like for 75 workers to live in the space of roughly 3,230 square feet.  According to a CNN report, “showers were a problem.” Yeah, I could see that being an issue. 

As for the workers with a snoring problem? They were rounded up and sent to the conference room. 

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