Torn banknotes. (Photo from Weibo)
An electronics store manager from east China's Shandong Province was fined after she instructed employees to tear up banknotes at the store on Wednesday.
Earlier this week, a video clip spread widely on Chinese social media, in which the woman, later identified as Ms Liu, forced five employees at a branch of Gome Electronics in Jinan City to tear up banknotes with a combined value of 72 US dollars.
The video shows the five being admonished by Liu after failing to hit their monthly sales targets. Liu also threatens the group by saying that anyone questioning her orders will lose their jobs.
Unfortunately for Liu, intentionally damaging RMB banknotes is a criminal offence in China, punishable with a fine of not more than 1,500 US dollars.
After police were made aware of the video and intervened, Liu was required to piece all the damaged banknotes together and compensate the five employees. She was also fined approximately 150 US dollars.
Online reaction to Liu's actions has been largely negative, with many users criticizing her crude and rash behavior.
"The woman should be put in custody…" commented @Qianshidedaoke.
"This is an insult to the country and the people, caused by the current sales environment," posted @Qingcongsuiyue89789.
