Thoi Boi Quan, founder of Ha Nam Lifting Machinery Company, fired an employee for filial impiety, citing the employee's shame towards his mother as the reason. Thoi recounted his decision on 21/7 during the opening ceremony of a summer internship program for 331 children of employees, a move that has since sparked debate across Chinese social media.

According to Thoi, the male employee lost his father at two years old and was raised solely by his mother. However, when he married, he excluded his mother from the wedding.

Thoi justified the termination, stating, "You lost your father at two years old, and yet you treat your mother like that?" He revealed that the employee's mother had previously worked in the company's production workshop. Upon her retirement, Thoi had arranged for her to transition to the logistics department, ensuring her income remained unchanged.

After his dismissal, the employee returned to the office, apologizing and seeking reinstatement due to the difficulty of finding a comparable job. Thoi, however, refused, explaining that he could not work with someone he no longer respected.

Thoi Boi Quan. *Photo: Sina News*

Thoi's decision ignited discussion on Chinese social media. Supporters argued that while businesses can impart professional skills, changing an individual's character is challenging.

Conversely, critics contended that filial piety falls within personal ethics. They suggested that dismissing an employee for family reasons, without professional misconduct or company rule violations, infringes upon their legal rights.

Born in 1965 into a farming family in Ha Nam, Thoi Boi Quan left school at 14. He pursued various occupations before founding his company in 2002. His company distinguishes itself by foregoing rigid timekeeping or strict evaluation criteria, instead prioritizing responsibility and filial piety.

In 2025, the company reported a profit of 37.2 million USD, with 24.8 million USD allocated as employee bonuses. The company further enhances employee welfare by organizing trips for employees' parents and hosting a "money counting" game at year-end parties, where participants keep what they count. These initiatives have led local media to dub Thoi "the boss who loves to give money."

Ngoc Ngan (According to Sina News)