"Opening Bottle Caps Not Allowed" Controversy Over 'Physical Distancing Between Genders' Manual at Chinese Bank

Internal manual of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Photo by Weibo capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Criticism continues over a comic containing an internal manual titled "Keep Distance Between Opposite-Sex Colleagues," released by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).

According to Chinese media Xinlang Caijing (新浪財經) and Voice of America (VOA) on the 3rd, the manual categorizes acceptable and unacceptable behaviors between opposite-sex employees using "three traffic light colors."

Permissible behaviors are marked with a "green light," risky behaviors with an "orange light," and prohibited behaviors with a "red light."

For example, lightly touching an opposite-sex colleague's shoulder is considered a sensitive behavior (orange light), while stroking their hair is deemed a dangerous behavior (red light).

Conversations about financial investments between opposite-sex colleagues (green light) are allowed, but discussions about lipstick (orange light) are risky, and talking about arguments with a girlfriend (red light) is prohibited.

Internal Manual of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Photo by Weibo Capture

Moreover, the manual specifies the extent to which opposite-sex colleagues can assist each other. Picking up items like pencils or pens dropped on the floor is a "green light," but opening a drink cap for someone else is an "orange light," due to the possibility of fingers touching during the process.

In China, opinions are divided, with some saying the content is too conservative, noting, "It seems unlikely they would interfere this much even with teenagers," while others respond positively, saying, "It might help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace in advance."

The ICBC Innovation Research and Development Center, which released the manual, stated, "We want to encourage everyone to accept this manual to ensure individual development and family happiness."

VOA reported, "ICBC employs 430,000 people worldwide," adding, "Until a year ago, sexual harassment was not legally recognized as a crime in China, so the release of this manual is a rare measure for a Chinese company."