Who to Turn to When the Office Chair is Broken
The liability for a broken office chair should be determined based on the specific circumstances and may involve parties such as the infringer, the manager, the company/employer, the individual employee, the supplier/third party, or the property management company. Details are as follows:
If the damage is caused by the intentional or gross negligence of an employee, visitor, etc. (such as smashing it with excessive force), the infringer shall be liable for compensation. If the damage is caused by a third party (such as external construction workers), the manager can seek reimbursement from the third party after making compensation.
If the manager (such as a property management company or the corporate logistics department) fails to fulfill maintenance obligations, resulting in damage or failure to repair it in a timely manner, they shall bear corresponding responsibilities. However, in cases of force majeure or natural wear and tear where the manager is not at fault, they are generally not liable, but may be responsible for the expanded part if reasonable protective measures are not taken.
If the office chair is uniformly purchased and distributed by the company, the ownership belongs to the company, and it is managed by the administration/office on a daily basis. For damage due to quality issues or natural wear and tear during normal use, the company is usually responsible for replacement or repair. If the office is leased, the repair responsibility shall be determined according to the contract. If the contract is not clear, the lessor (landlord) shall fulfill the repair obligation, but if the lessee causes damage due to non-compliance with the agreed use or improper storage, the lessee shall bear the responsibility themselves.
If the damage is caused by the individual's intentional or gross negligence (such as malicious destruction), the employee shall be liable for compensation. The compensation amount shall be determined comprehensively based on the value of the chair, the extent of damage, and the degree of fault. The employer may deduct it from the employee's salary (not exceeding 20% of the monthly salary and not falling below the local minimum wage standard after deduction). If the office chair is purchased by the employee themselves and placed in the office for use, the ownership belongs to the employee, and the daily maintenance and warranty rights protection shall be borne by the employee themselves.
If the office chair is damaged due to quality issues within the warranty period, the developer or manufacturer shall be responsible for repair or replacement. If the damage is caused by a third party (such as the supplier providing substandard products or the repairer performing improper repairs), the employer shall first negotiate with the third party for a solution. If negotiation fails, they can pursue legal responsibility through legal channels.
If the office chair is located in a public area of an office building (such as the lobby or conference room), the daily maintenance responsibility usually lies with the property management company, including regular cleaning, inspections, and repairs for normal wear and tear.
