Summary: A 32-year-old programmer in China died from sudden cardiac arrest after years of excessive overtime. Hours post-death, his phone received a work task message, sparking outrage about toxic work culture and the blurring of life-job boundaries in tech.
A tragic case in China has reignited public debate about overwork and employee wellbeing after a young technology worker died suddenly following an intense period of work — and then received a work-related message on his phone hours after his death.
The man, a 32-year-old programmer working in southern China, had reportedly been under heavy pressure at his job for several years.
According to his family, his workload increased significantly after he was promoted to a management role, and long hours became a normal part of his routine. Late nights, weekend work, and constant availability were described as common expectations rather than exceptions.
On the day of the incident, he woke up feeling unwell but still logged into his company's work systems from home. Despite his condition, he continued handling tasks and checking messages, following his usual habit of staying connected. As the day went on, his health worsened. He collapsed and was rushed to hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead. Medical staff said he had suffered a sudden cardiac event.
What shocked many people was what happened later that day. Around eight hours after his death, a work message was sent to his phone through the company's internal communication system.
The message reportedly concerned job-related tasks and deadlines, unaware that the recipient had already passed away.
When his family discovered this, they said it felt like a painful reminder of how closely his life had been tied to his work.
The story quickly spread on social media, where many people expressed sadness and anger. Some said the incident showed how modern work culture, especially in fast-moving industries like technology, often blurs the line between personal life and professional duty.
Others pointed out that even though labor laws exist to limit working hours, real-world pressure can still push employees far beyond healthy limits.
Online discussions also focused on the emotional impact on families left behind. Many users said it was heartbreaking that the man's phone continued to receive work requests after his death, describing it as a symbol of a system that never truly "switches off."
The company involved reportedly offered compensation to the family but denied that work pressure was directly responsible for the man's death. No official conclusion has been announced regarding whether overwork was a contributing factor, but the case has added to ongoing public concern about stress, burnout, and health risks linked to long working hours.
In recent years, similar incidents have fuelled wider conversations in China about work-life balance, particularly in sectors where long hours are often treated as normal.
For many observers, this case is another reminder that behind productivity targets and deadlines are real people whose health and lives can be deeply affected by constant pressure.
As the discussion continues, the man's story has become a powerful example of why questions about working conditions, rest, and employee protection remain as urgent as ever.
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