Mainland bosses threaten to fire staff who use iPhone 7

Whether it is an anti-corruption policy or an act of patriotism, employers on the mainland had made the new iPhone 7 a new target to hate.

A women’s hospital in Chongqing has banned its doctors and nurses from using Apple's latest smart iPhone 7 series, saying the prohibition was a measure clamp down on the hospital employees’ extravagant lifestyles, the China.org.cn reports.

"The administrative office of the hospital has decided not to allow any staff members to buy the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 plus. Anyone who insists on purchasing one will be removed from candidacy for annual rewards of outstanding performances. And those who could not afford an iPhone 7 cell phone but still bought one will be asked to resign," reads a circular issued by the hospital said.

The circular has gone viral on the internet and was confirmed by Chongqing's Fuling Xinjiuzhou Gynecological Hospital. But the hospital’s director said that the directive was aimed at supporting domestic brands, and denied stopping staff from using iPhone7s.  The director added that staff members were permitted to use iPhone 6 and iPhone 5 models, according to the South China Morning Post.

This is not the first time that a mainland Chinese company has threatened to fire staff if they were found to have bought new iPhone products as a way of expressing patriotism or showing support for domestic smartphone brands.

The BBC Trending reported that on September 21, Nanyang Yongkang Medicine Company in Henan Province forbade its employees to buy the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 plus, saying it's better to contribute their savings to improve their family lives rather than spending them on such luxuries.

"If you break this rule, then just come to the office straight way to hand in your resignation," reads the notice it issued to staff.

In an interview with mainland media, a spokesman for the company refused to confirm the  threat to sack staff who have bought an iPhone 7.  "The company is discussing the notice further." he said.

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