Liu Qiangdong, chief executive of Jingdong Mall, China’s second-largest online retailer has sent out a letter to employees about bird flu. Photo: SCMP pictures
Liu Qiangdong, chief executive of Jingdong Mall, China’s second-largest online retailer, sent out a caring letter to his employees on Wednesday, warning them against the deadly new strain of bird flu.
The letter went viral after an insider posted it on Weibo, China’s popular social networking website.
Many bloggers, after reading it, joked that it was further proof of Jingdong’s "core competitiveness".
Here are some key points, Liu wrote in the letter:
- "Cafeterias at local branches should stop serving pork and chicken. Let’s try our best to stick to a diet of vegetables and fish. I advise you to call your family members and tell them to do the same,'' he said.
- "Managers should inform workers about protection measures and prepare the necessary medicines.
- "Employees should stop coming to work if they experienced symptoms of fever or coughing. They will receive full pay while on sick leave,'' Liu wrote.
- "If any employee is infected with the virus, we will pay all their expenses.
- "Ventilate offices and sterilise them three times a day,'' he said.
- "Cancel all domestic business trips unless they cannot be avoided.
- "Cancel visits from suppliers. Use telephones and emails for communication.
- "Advise employees to cancel field trips during the Tomb Sweeping Day break and avoid travelling,'' Liu added.
Liu also reflected on the measures he took 10 years ago during the 2003 Sars epidemic.
“I said, 10 years ago, that if any employee catches the virus, I will never forgive myself,” he wrote.
“We luckily dodged Sars and expanded our business. Without the respect for our employees, we wouldn’t have achieved today’s success,” he added.
Liu also vowed to shut down all deliveries to protect Jingdong’s workers if the situation deteriorated.
“If any one of Jingdong’s employees gets infected, it will be my life-long shame. It will also be a life-long shame for all managers. I will not be able to face their families.” http://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1206966/eat-only-vegetables-and-fish-retail-boss-letter-staff-about-bird-flu
