A 32-year-old programmer from China was working from home when he suddenly felt unwell and fainted. His family rushed the IT guy to the hospital, but despite the doctors' efforts, he died. At that time, the programmer’s company added him to a new work chat.
A 32-year-old programmer from China was working from home when he suddenly felt unwell and fainted. His family rushed the IT guy to the hospital, but despite the doctors' efforts, he died. At that time, the programmer’s company added him to a new work chat.
According to Mothership, citing Chinese media, Gao Guanghei was promoted to the position of department head and worked overtime before his death.
His wife, worried about the overtime and urged the IT guy to come home. She later wrote on Weibo that she would never hear him say he was back from work again.
It is noted that even as Gao Guanghei was fighting for his life in a hospital bed, he was added to a new work chat, where he was asked to solve work issues. Eight hours after the IT worker’s death, his colleague wrote that the work was urgent and needed to be done.
The family believes the programmer’s death was the result of overwork and has filed a claim for compensation. They said he was often late for work due to work commitments, including dinners with clients and last-minute emergencies.
In addition to software development, Gao reportedly performed management duties and provided after-sales customer service. He returned home at 11:58 p.m. last November.
According to his wife, Gao usually slept only six to seven hours a night, left the house at 7 a.m. and often did not return until around 11 p.m. He was also reported to have participated in meetings and phone calls even while driving.
An investigation into the situation and claims of overtime work is currently underway.
