【Lena Paul - The Next Morning】

A Chinese company is Lena Paul - The Next Morningin the spotlight for trying to relieve its sedentary employees of their desks -- by making it mandatory that they clock 10,000 steps a day.

The seemingly well-meaning but strictly enforced rules also deal a penalty of 50 to 100 push-ups to people who fail to meet the 10,000 step count mark.

The Chongqing Evening Newsquotes one of the new employees at the unnamed technology firm, Hu, who said that on his first day, the company's HR department made him sign up for a feature on the WeChat messaging app that tracks the number of steps they take each day.

"As long as I do my job well, why should I be asked to walk?" Hu grumbled. He now walks 20 minutes a day to the subway instead of driving in order to meet the required amount of steps.

"Many of my colleagues now no longer spend lunch playing games on the computer but go out together for walks," he added.

10,000 steps equals to about eight kilometres, or an almost two-hour walk, depending on your walking speed and stride.

The company, which has not been named, has defended their policy.

"Many of our staff sit in an office all day and sometimes have to work overtime," said an official at the company, identified only as Guo.

"Many of them are young but are already having health issues such as neck and shoulder problems. We make walking 10,000 steps compulsory so staff can have a healthier life," she said.

The company also added that employees who actively do sports do not have to participate in the programme.

British experts had previously advised office workers to stand for at least two hours a day, adding that those who spent most of their days sitting were more likely to be fat, have heart problems, cancer and even die earlier.

Perhaps walking doesn't seem that bad of an idea after all.