A tutor from China passed away due to cardiac arrest, with his workload being a significant factor in the stress he experienced. Li, who was in his late 20s, worked for an online education company in Wuhan and had just a few days left before his wedding, scheduled for May 2nd.
On the day of his death, April 22, Li had been working late into the night. Colleagues noted that he had put in several overtime hours leading up to that day, trying to meet deadlines before a long break. His fiancée became concerned when she hadn’t heard from him and contacted the police.
The following morning, his unresponsive body was discovered at the office, and medical professionals confirmed he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Li and his fiancée had eagerly planned their upcoming wedding.
The local labor bureau mentioned that Li’s family is preparing to document a connection between his death and work conditions. Despite claims from the company, which serves over 160 million users, that overtime was not scheduled for his team, the reality might be different.
Social Media Reactions
Li’s passing ignited discussions about harsh working conditions on Chinese social media, attracting over 70 million views. One user remarked, “Do you really think Li chose to work overtime? No one works excessively without fears of job loss.”
Chinese labor laws stipulate a maximum of eight hours of work daily and 44 hours weekly, with overtime capped at 36 hours monthly. However, a former employee named Wang left her position last year due to anxiety over the chronic overtime demands. Another employee revealed he decided to resign right after hearing about Li’s demise, describing a workplace where staff had to inform supervisors even when taking restroom or lunch breaks.
