To overcome fears: a company in China made employees swallow fire (2 photos + 1 video)

The woman was scared to swallow fire, but she was even more scared of losing her job. This controversial "team building" practice is used by many Chinese companies.





One of the educational companies in China has come under fire for requiring employees to "swallow fire" during a team building event, claiming that it would help them overcome fear and gain self-confidence.

One of the company's employees said that during team building activities, colleagues were required to put burning cotton wool in their mouths. The girl did not want to join the fire swallowing process, but she complied because she was afraid of losing her job.

This team building event involved 60 people divided into six groups. The goal of the event was to show the company's management the determination of its employees, who are focused solely on winning. However, an employee of the company where she worked for about a year said that she was scared, and the process itself was humiliating.



As noted, many Chinese companies use the "fire swallowing" method to unite the team, claiming that it increases self-confidence, helps to overcome fear and reveals potential. At the same time, under Chinese law, companies that engage in unreasonable practices that violate employee rights are required to pay compensation for damages.

Reports of employee abuse during team-building events have been coming in from all over China. One company in the southwest forced defeated workers to crawl through the streets late at night. Before that, a firm in eastern China forced its employees to kiss trash cans and hug strangers in public to boost their courage. Another company forced employees to stand at heights of over six feet, close their eyes, and fall backwards, trusting their coworkers to catch them.