Chinese company encourages mask wearing to fight stress

A firm in Hangzhou, east China, is allowing employees to don masks in an effort to combat stress.

Employees wore a variety of masks on their ‘De-stress Day’ last Wednesday. The masks worn varied in style from Venetian, to ‘Minion’ (from the film Despicable Me), to cat, and one called ‘no face,’ which originally featured in the movie Spirited Away.    

The People’s Daily Online reports that managers hoped staff would feel more comfortable when their face was concealed, especially during meetings where they have to present ideas.  

An unnamed manager confirmed that, because of the facial camouflage, junior colleagues were more likely to share opinions that they wouldn’t have otherwise parted with.