The Chinese Take "Bossnapping" To Another Level

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Not to be outdone by the French (see yesterday's item) Chinese steel workers have shown who are the real tough guys in the world of employee relations. According to a report in this week's Management Today magazine, when irate workers in the state-owned Tunghua Iron and Steel company were unhappy about a proposed takeover by a private sector rival which could have resulted in the loss of as many of 25,000 of the 30,000 jobs at the plant, they took matters into their own hands. Reports emerging from China indicate that during a large scale riot not only were 100 workers injured, but the general manager of the steel company was beaten to death.

Unlike the French bossnappers, the Chinese seem to have got their way, as the merger has been called off at least for the near future.

• What learning point does this incident offer concerning the importance of effective employee communication especially where negative news has to be conveyed?
• How could the news have been relayed to affected workers in a more effective manner?