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

Xing Zhi, a 39-year-old programmer and father of two based in Shenzhen, died after being found in his company’s restroom. Following the incident, authorities declined to classify the death as work-related, citing the fact that the employee was not at his desk at the time of the event.

The decision has triggered significant public backlash on mainland Chinese social media. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding labor rights, workplace surveillance, and the criteria used to determine work-related fatalities in the technology sector.