Outrage as China programmer’s toilet death ruled non-work-related for being ‘not at desk’

Public outrage has erupted in mainland China after an independent programmer's death in his company's toilet was ruled non-work-related, despite him not being at his desk. Xing Zhi, a 39-year-old father of two from Shenzhen, collapsed in the toilet after clocking in on April but was later pronounced dead. The local authorities dismissed the company's application for classifying his death as work-related on July, stating that Xing had "not yet reported for duty" as he had not turned on his computer or started work when discovered.

Xing's wife is now seeking an administrative review, pointing out that his long hours and unpaid overtime are common in some Chinese internet companies, raising concerns about employee health. Under Chinese law, families of deceased employees may receive funeral and dependent benefits, along with a lump-sum payment. The employer did compensate the family, but the amount is undisclosed.

Lawyers argue that toilets are a necessary part of the working environment and that Xing's heavy workload could bolster the family's case, but legal action might be necessary. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media platforms, with users criticizing the lack of compassion and urging office workers to avoid overwork.