India, Nov. 26 -- New Oriental, a leading education company in China, came under online criticism after its founder, Yu Minhong, posted an internal anniversary message while on holiday in Antarctica.

The message shared for the company's 32nd anniversary was viewed as insensitive and mostly about himself, especially as staff report long working hours.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the message described the "icy, snowy world of Antarctica," the quiet landscape, and the emerald iceberg around him.

Yu also compared New Oriental employees to penguins, saying they survive harsh conditions by staying united and supporting each other.

However, employees felt the message was more about Yu and his holiday than about the...