The New Concept of Lost Wages

On Monday, employees were back to work as usual. For them, it was just another ordinary day among countless others.

Weng Ziqin, the intern brought into the company by Chang Zhiqing, was diligently monitoring the backend data and trying to analyze the meaning behind these numbers.

The company had successfully joined the Shark platform, and the performance of the two streamers under its banner was outstanding. After Huang Rushi received an advertisement deal with a milk tea shop, numerous businesses approached for collaboration. Some dairy manufacturers wanted to collaborate with Gao Naiyun, and some unconventional merchants sought out Huang Rushi.

However, for various reasons, like Gao Naiyun not wanting to take that particular ad or concerns about the company's image, all these advertising inquiries had been politely declined by the company.

As a recent graduate, Weng Ziqin was naturally cautious and followed the leader's instructions.

Moreover, she was receiving a monthly salary of 7,000 yuan, and she felt the weight of her responsibilities. She believed it was her duty to create more value for the company. If the performance was poor, and the internship period passed, wouldn't she lose this great job?

"The recent data growth seems to have slowed down a bit... Is there any way to boost the numbers?"

"Mr. Yang must have a way, but I can't ask him. Otherwise, I might lose my job."

When the pressure of performance increased, anxiety was inevitable.

*Ding!*

The phone screen on her desk suddenly lit up, indicating the receipt of a text message.

Weng Ziqin glanced at it and saw it was a bank notification that her salary had been deposited.

"They're already paying us at the beginning of the month?" Weng Ziqin was surprised. "Without any delay?"

But looking at the work environment and the salary offered, she knew Mr. Yang wasn't the kind of person who would withhold salaries. It had become a "normal" practice for companies to pay salaries one day before the end of the month or even mid-month. Yang Ruoqian paying on time actually felt somewhat unusual.

"Let's check the salary... I took a day off this month, so there might be a deduction."

Thinking this, Weng Ziqin unlocked her screen and read the text message content, and her expression froze.

"Received on September 2 at 10:01 AM (received from another bank): 9,362.5 yuan. Payee: Xplendi Entertainment Media Co., Ltd., Payee's account ending with xxxx [a certain bank]."

Wait a minute, how much money is this?!

Over 9,000 yuan?!

But her after-tax salary was only 7,000 yuan! Where did this extra 2,000 yuan come from?

Did the finance department make a mistake?

How could taking a day off result in more pay? It had to be a company error.

Weng Ziqin didn't dare to take advantage of this small gain and immediately thought about approaching her superior for clarification.

"Has everyone received their salaries for this month?" At that moment, Yang Ruoqian walked out of his office and addressed all the employees. "The salary statements have been sent through the company WeChat. Please check for any discrepancies."

"Let's check the salary... Yes, I should first verify my salary and see where the issue lies," Weng Ziqin thought.

Weng Ziqin opened her WeChat, clicked on her salary statement, and began to check each line one by one.

"Base salary: 7,000 yuan, meal allowance: 500 yuan, transportation allowance: 500 yuan, performance bonus: 362.5 yuan, lost wages: 1,000 yuan, total: 9,362.5 yuan."

Looking at this unusual salary statement, Weng Ziqin fell into deep thought.

No, this doesn't make sense.

Ignoring the meal and transportation allowances for now, why wasn't my salary deducted for taking a leave? And what does this "lost wages" mean? Why am I receiving 1,000 yuan in lost wages?

Weng Ziqin immediately raised her hand and said, "Mr. Yang, I have a question."

However, before she could finish, several other voices chimed in.

"Mr. Yang, it seems there's an issue with my salary."

"Me too."

Clearly, it wasn't just Weng Ziqin; all the employees had doubts about their salary statements.

Weng Ziqin was taken aback.

Oh, so it's not just my salary statement with a problem?

Yang Ruoqian, however, remained composed and nodded, saying, "If anyone has any questions, please ask one by one."

Weng Ziqin hurriedly approached and handed over her salary statement, pointing at it. "Mr. Yang, I don't understand. What is this 'lost wages'? And I took a day off due to illness last month, but it seems like you didn't account for it?"

Yang Ruoqian casually glanced at the salary statement and shook his head. "There's no issue; that's the correct amount. Last week, the company organized an out-of-town training session, which delayed everyone's work progress and performance, so the lost wages were provided as compensation. As for leaves, in our company, every employee has two paid days off per month, and it doesn't affect your salary."

The reason was quite simple – to wear down the employees' will and keep them happy.

Company outings not only provided relaxation and enjoyment but also included compensation for any work delay. If employees could receive compensation for enjoying such trips, then who would be motivated to work?

Leaves wouldn't result in salary deductions, no need to provide reasons; just go ahead and enjoy your paid leave.

After hearing Yang Ruoqian's explanation of the salary statement items, Weng Ziqin stood there dumbfounded.

Wait a minute, so the company spends its money to organize employee trips, allows them to have fun with paid leave, and then pays them extra as compensation for the work delay?

Is this how "lost wages" are used?

The company willingly pays for employees to travel, willingly disrupts their work, and then willingly pays them extra as lost wages?

This felt so much like insurance fraud!

Yang Ruoqian looked at the employees standing there in shock and confusion, then asked, "Do you have any more questions?"

Weng Ziqin really wanted to say that she had many, many questions, but they weren't about the salary statement; they were about the boss.

"I... I have no more questions, Boss!"

"If there are no more questions, please return to your workstations and work diligently... I mean, continue your good work," Yang Ruoqian nearly misspoke and corrected himself with a slight cough. "Anyone else, do you have any questions?"

After hearing Yang Ruoqian's explanation of "lost wages," the other employees who had previously raised their hands all silently lowered them.

Indeed, there were no more issues.

Mr. Yang was truly a generous person, and everyone assumed he hoped that his employees could achieve better results, and he wanted his investment to motivate them to work harder.

They had to work diligently and make the streamers' data shine, as it was the only way to repay Mr. Yang's great kindness!

At that moment, the company's entrance door swung open.

A petite young woman entered.