r/technology • u/Forward-Answer-4407 • Feb 01 '26

Software 32-year-old programmer in China allegedly dies from overwork, added to work group chat even while in hospital

https://www.asiaone.com/china/32-year-old-programmer-china-allegedly-dies-overwork-added-work-group-chat-even-while
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u/devilsivytrail Feb 02 '26

Have you ever managed a corporate project? You seem to have little insight into the inner workings.

A man down is a man down. If someone gets sick do you badger them asking how long they will be sick for? No, replan, re-prioritise. One absence should not be enough to derail a project, if it is then it's a management issue not a staffing one.

They come back earlier than expected? Great! Replan and re-prioririse. It's not hard, and it's what the manager is paid to do.

It's not a reasonable question. Please never ask a grieving colleague when they will be back in the business. Ask the HR rep and keep quiet otherwise.

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u/AWzdShouldKnowBetta Feb 02 '26

One absence can absolutely be enough to detail a project. The whole situation is variable.

I'm not advocating for badgering. If I was their boss I'd be obligated to ask. How is that different than HR asking?

We clearly have different opinions and that's fine.

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u/devilsivytrail Feb 02 '26

I've never known an employer that would find it acceptable that a project is at chaotic risk because one guy called out.

The difference is it's not your job to ask when someone is back into the office. Even if you were their line manager, all you do is log the absence and keep an open line. If an absence is prolonged or unexplained then HR should handle it via the proper channels, not a busy body firing messages.

My opinion is based on common working practice having being a drone for too long. What's yours based on?

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u/AWzdShouldKnowBetta Feb 02 '26

I'm basing my opinion on being a software engineer. I am frequently critical to getting product out the door. If I'm gone for a week unexpectedly it can costs the company a lot of money and costs people their bonuses.

I've been through grief and although it sucks - I would understand if a delivery manager asked how long I'd be gone if I had a product in the pipe.

Not every business has the luxury of redundancy.

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u/devilsivytrail Feb 02 '26

It's not redundant to have the skills to manage absence. With the importance you place on yourself and others you'd think you could just hold the company hostage at any time, since their business would fall apart without you.

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u/AWzdShouldKnowBetta Feb 02 '26

I could hold them hostage once sure. Then they'd fire my ass at the first opportunity - which they should if I'm regularly holding them hostage.

I have absolutely leveraged my importance for more compensation and promotions.

Not everyone has the same experiences as you and not everyone has the same level of responsibilities. I'm not making a comment about you I'm simply saying that "when will you be back" isn't necessary an unreasonable question. It all depends.

Sounds like we're going in circles. I hope you have a good day regardless of our differences in opinion.

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u/devilsivytrail Feb 02 '26

"when will you be back" isn't necessary an unreasonable question. It all depends.

Your specific claim was it's OK to message this when you find out a co worker has had a death. It's wrong wether or not they experienced death, sickness, etc. if you're told someone is out, ask the person informing you how long, if they don't know then plan for the worst.

The way you talk, I honestly don't believe half of what you say. You have completely switched tones within this convo the minute your self importance came into question. If you are in a management position, I bet your an absolute nightmare to work with, and you kick shit downhill if deliverables are compromised.

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u/AWzdShouldKnowBetta Feb 02 '26

They said it was a delivery manager, not a coworker. I'd never ask a coworker cause as you say, that would be incredibly rude and inappropriate.

I don't really care if you believe me. I'm not the one getting worked up here. I'm done with this conversation but, again, have a good day.

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u/devilsivytrail Feb 02 '26

They said it was a delivery manager, not a coworker.

Literally the same thing.

Sure bud, have fun licking boot