Liability and Solutions for Broken Office Chairs in the Company

The determination of liability and solutions for broken office chairs in the company depend on the cause of the damage, as detailed below:

I. Liability Attribution

1. Damage from Normal Use
   If an office chair is damaged during normal use due to quality issues (such as design flaws or material aging) or natural wear and tear (such as structural loosening from long-term use), and no personal injury occurs, the employer is generally responsible. According to the Labor Contract Law and related regulations, employers are obligated to provide employees with office equipment that meets safety standards and are responsible for routine maintenance and replacement.

2. Damage Caused by Employee's Intentional or Negligent Acts
   If the damage is caused by an employee's intentional destruction (such as kicking or disassembling parts) or gross negligence (such as using the chair as a ladder or overloading it), the employer has the right to seek reimbursement from the employee after bearing the cost of repair or replacement. The specific reimbursement ratio depends on the company's internal rules and regulations (such as the Employee Handbook) or the labor contract agreement, which may require the employee to bear part or all of the costs.

3. Fault of a Third Party
   If the damage is caused by quality issues with products provided by suppliers (such as fragile wheel materials) or improper operation by maintenance providers (such as incorrect installation), the employer should first assume responsibility and then pursue liability from the third party. Negotiations can be conducted to request free replacement or repair from the supplier. If negotiations fail, legal action can be taken under the Contract Section of the Civil Code or the Product Quality Law.

II. Solutions

1. Preliminary Inspection and Simple Repairs

   • If the chair is tilting or difficult to move, first check whether the wheels are damaged (such as bending or breaking) or if the floor is uneven. If the issue is with the wheels, they can be replaced by the user: invert the chair, remove the old wheels (either by pulling them out directly or using a screwdriver for assistance), apply lubricant to the sockets, tap in the new wheels with a rubber mallet, and finally test for stability.
   • If the wheels are intact but the chair remains unstable, check for loose or broken structures such as the seat plate or frame. For such issues, it is recommended to contact a professional repair technician.

2. Requesting Replacement from the Company
   If the chair is severely damaged (such as torn leather on the seat surface or completely broken wheels that prevent movement), employees can submit a written request to the administrative department, explaining the condition of the damage (such as its impact on work efficiency, safety hazards, or damage to the company's image) and attaching photos or video evidence. The company will typically arrange for replacement after review.

3. Handling Compensation Issues

   • If the damage is caused by an employee's non-intentional act (such as accidental collision), the company may require the employee to bear part of the repair costs (such as 20%-50%) according to internal regulations, but this must be clearly stipulated in the rules and regulations in advance.
   • If the damage is intentional, the employee must compensate for the market value of the chair (after depreciation) and may face administrative penalties (such as warnings or fines).