Man Dies Of Organ Failure After Working 104 Days With 1 Day Off
A man has died of organ failure after working 104 days with 1 day off! It’s a reminder that if you’re given Paid Time Off–use it!
Often, employees will feel stressed requesting vacation days or taking a day off of work. It might make us look lazy, or could give an opportunity to the next person in line, and then before you know it, they’ve taken your job! However, it’s important to take your days off as your body (and your mind) need rest. The company he worked for is now claiming his workload was manageable, and that his death is not on them.
Did A Man Die Of Organ Failure After Being Overworked?
I’m sure there have been times when we all have felt overworked and exhausted. It happens to the best of us. However, this man in China reportedly died of organ failure after working 104 days with only one day off, per SCMP.
Now, there are arguments over what was at the root of the death of the man identified as A’bao’s. However, SCMP reports that a court in Zhejiang province ruled that the company was 20% responsible for his death. Court findings say he died from multiple organ failure from a pneumococcal infection, that’s often linked to a weakened immune system. Now, the death has started a debate in China and around the world about how workers are treated in the country. Exhaustion certainly can cause issues with your immune system, especially if you’re putting that kind of stress on your body with little rest.
According to SCMP, A’bao signed a contract to work as a painter for an unidentified company, and was supposed to run through January. SCMP reports he worked every day for 104 days from February to May last year, with only one day of rest on April 6th. Then, in May, he took a sick day because he was feeling unwell and spent the day resting. However, his condition reportedly worsened, and he was rushed to a hospital days later where he was diagnosed with a lung infection and respiratory failure, per SCMP. He ended up dying a few days later.
This started a debate over whether or not it was a work-related illness and death. The family filed a lawsuit for compensation but the company argued his workload was manageable and any overtime work was voluntary. The company claims his death was from pre-existing health issues and a lack of timely medical intervention, per SCMP. The court awarded the family roughly $56,000 as the company did breach labor regulations. However, the company is appealing the decision. A clear reminder that your work doesn’t care about you–you are a number to them, and if you die, you will be replaced within weeks. Hurts to think about doesn’t it?