CHINA: After suffering a heart attack at a railway station in China, a man in his 40s insisted on returning to work immediately, once he regained consciousness. His actions have sparked widespread debate over the country’s demanding work culture.
His instant concern for work shocked many internet users, who saw it as an indication of the extraordinary dedication—or even desperation—many workers experience in the current labour market. Others noted that his response reveals a structural problem in China’s fast-paced, high-stress workplace, where employees frequently feel forced to exert themselves to the limit.
The incident at Changsha railway station
According to the South China Morning Post, the incident took place on Feb 4, the final day of the Spring Festival holiday, at a railway station in Changsha, Hunan province. The man waiting to board a high-speed train suddenly collapsed, prompting immediate intervention from railway staff and an on-site doctor. It took the medical team 20 minutes to stabilise him, ensuring he was able to breathe normally and regain awareness.
However, instead of prioritising his health, his first words after waking up were: “I need to take the high-speed train to go to work,” as quoted by SAYS. Despite just surviving a heart attack, his immediate concern was returning to his job, highlighting the deep-seated work ethic ingrained in many Chinese employees.
Even after being advised to seek medical attention, he initially resisted, arguing that hospitalisation would only delay his return to the office. The on-site doctor had to persistently convince him before he finally agreed to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. His reluctance to accept treatment underscores the extent to which job security and workplace expectations dictate the choices of many workers.
A reflection of society’s intense work culture
The man’s reaction resonated deeply with many, highlighting the immense pressure Chinese workers face in maintaining job security. With economic uncertainty and a youth unemployment rate still around 16% as of late last year, many feel compelled to prioritise work over their well-being.
Some workers fear that missing even a single day of work could put their jobs at risk, further reinforcing the idea that work must always come first, even at the expense of their own lives.
His case is not unique. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of sudden deaths due to overwork, particularly among young professionals. A 2016 report by China Daily estimated that approximately 600,000 people in China die each year from overworking. Many of these cases involve employees working excessively long hours with little rest, a phenomenon often referred to as “996 culture” (working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week).
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the extreme demands placed on employees, where dedication to work often comes at the cost of personal health. Workplace stress, combined with the fear of being replaced, pushes many individuals to ignore serious health risks until it is too late.
Social media reactions
The story sparked a wave of responses on social media, with many users expressing sympathy while also criticising the harsh realities of modern work culture. Some saw the man’s reaction as a tragic consequence of an unforgiving job market, while others viewed it as a cautionary tale about misplaced priorities.
One Facebook user commented: “Their environment is very tough. We might have 50 candidates to compete for one position while they are competing with 1,000 candidates to get hired.” Under the same post, another remarked grimly, “There’s no time to die in a struggling world.”
The sentiment was echoed by others, with one person noting, “China and Hong Kong’s working life is very tough… Sorry for all of us, we are all running in the same race.”
Some reflected on the broader implications of work-life balance, stating, “The truth about the world we live in today—we are slaves of bank loans.” Another simply concluded, “Commitments override health.”
The strong online reaction suggests that balancing work with personal well-being is a challenge faced worldwide, not just in China. Many users highlighted that this issue exists in competitive job markets and high-pressure workplaces globally.
A wake-up call for workplace culture?
While this man was fortunate enough to receive medical assistance in time, his story raises serious concerns about the work culture in China and beyond. The expectation that employees prioritise their jobs over their own health remains a troubling reality, one that will likely continue to fuel debate in the years to come. Without significant changes in workplace policies and attitudes towards employee well-being, incidents like this may only become more common.
The case serves as a wake-up call for both employers and employees, emphasising the urgent need for a healthier work-life balance. If workers continue to push themselves to the brink, the long-term consequences could be devastating—not just for individuals but for society as a whole.
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Featured image by Vecteezy (for illustration purposes only)