In the Chinese city of Shenzhen, the social security bureau has refused to recognize the death of a 39-year-old programmer at work as an insured event. The reason for the refusal was that the man did not reach his desk and turn on his computer before he died.
In the Chinese city of Shenzhen, the social security bureau has refused to recognize the death of a 39-year-old programmer at work as an insured event. The reason for the refusal was that the man did not reach his desk and turn on his computer before he died.
The incident occurred with IT worker Xin Zhi, who was a father of two children. According to the cameras and recordings, the man arrived at the company's parking lot at 8:56 and checked in for work. After that, he asked the security guard for directions to the restroom on the second floor, entered there at 9:01 and never came out again. His desk was located on the 11th floor, Dexerto writes .
At 11:28 a.m., the programmer was found unconscious in his cubicle. Colleagues and medics attempted to resuscitate him with a defibrillator, but at 12:50 p.m., doctors pronounced him dead. The exact medical cause of death has not been disclosed.
The employer paid compensation to the family and independently applied for recognition of the case as an occupational injury. However, the Shenzhen Human Resources and Social Security Bureau rejected the request.
The bureau explained that Xing Zhi went to the restroom on the second floor before going up to the 11th floor and performing his immediate work duties. Under Guangdong provincial law, a sudden death is considered work-related only if it occurs directly “while performing tasks at the workplace.”
The deceased's widow is appealing this decision and insisting on an administrative review.
