Chinese firm encourages in-house love

A company in China is rewarding employees who find their partners within the firm and also offers three-day leave to those whose relationships had broken up.

Most of the Defan employees have to sleep in the office due to the heavy workload

DeFan, the network and technology company also offers cash gifts to successfully paired couples, as well as a bigangpow for their weddings.

The company did not announce the sum but said it would be "a big surprise".

When announcing the new policy on Tuesday, DeFan marketing director Gao Jie said the move was to raise the spirit among employees.

The policy is supported by over 90% of the workers but the remaining ones are worried that some workers might spend too much time courting their colleagues instead of doing work.

DeFan, a two-year old company, is involved in the development of game software and is still at the developing stage.

As such, its workers have to spend most of their time in the workplace and some even sleep therre. One director has a folding bed in his office.

"I have not been home for a few days. Luckily my boyfriend is overseas, otherwise, we would have broken-up long time before," worker Luo Jiayue told reporter.

Another worker said he had never had a free weekend since joining the company last year.

Due to the busy workload, some 80% of the 60-odd employees, aged below 30, are still single.

Marketing director Gao is the only married woman in the company.

"I realised the problem after the first pair was bonded recently," she said.

"Love inspires a person and raises his or her efficiency. Thus, I encourage workers to find their other half within the company. This is because they lack social activities due to the work."

She said the company would also give three-days leave to those whose relationships had broken-up.

"If they are in an emotional stage, they can not perform well. I would rather grant them the leave and let them rest well before coming back to the 'war zone'," she said.