At a year-end party on 5/2 hosted by a company in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, Jiang Jiang won the special prize. According to the company's announcement, the reward was the latest iPhone model, valued at 10,000 Chinese yuan (approximately 38 million VND).

Jiang kept the gift box sealed, intending for his wife to open it at home. However, their joy quickly turned to disappointment. A video posted by Jiang revealed the elaborate preparation for the hoax: The box was meticulously packaged, complete with a receipt showing the listed value. Yet, inside were just a few candies and two ceramic tiles, added to mimic the weight of a real phone.

“Initially, I thought I was the luckiest person at the party; who knew I would be the unluckiest,” Jiang shared.

An iPhone box containing a brick. *Photo: QQ*

The incident immediately went viral on social media. After it was exposed, a department head, who had planned the party, admitted to swapping the prize's contents. This person explained it was a 'prank' designed to liven up the atmosphere, not aimed at Jiang personally. The director and other colleagues were unaware of the scheme.

Although the company later bought a real phone as compensation, Jiang remained indignant: “I may not need the phone, but I need respect. Falsifying a receipt to deceive an employee is an insult to dignity, not merely a joke.”

Jiang's story is not the sole incident this year-end season, where the line between 'corporate culture' and unprofessionalism becomes blurred.

The receipt for the phone Jiang won. *Photo: QQ*

In Hangzhou, the electric vehicle group Leapmotor also faced criticism for hosting a year-end party in a 'refugee camp' style. Despite achieving record revenue and even awarding iPhone 17s, the production division's party was held in a cold warehouse, lacking restrooms and lunch service. Employees had to bring their own dry food, huddling together to listen to management's speeches.

Company Chairman Zhu Jiangming later issued an apology letter to all employees, admitting that the shoddy organization that made employees feel undervalued was “a significant flaw in management capability.”

These incidents are sparking intense debate in China. Most opinions suggest that excessive pranks or extreme frugality at year-end parties are eroding employee trust and motivation.

Bao Nhien (According to QQ)