Can You Die From Overwork?

We joke a lot about being ‘slave-driven’ and ‘overworked to death' in our Malaysian offices. Some professionals and interns will even tell horror stories of all-nighters to meet unreasonable demands!

But this phenomenon is a serious issue. Recently, news emerged of a young 24-year old Matsuri Takahashi, a worker in the Japanese ad agency Dentsu, who ended her young life in late 2015 after suffering from psychologically toxic work environments and overwork.

We admire the Japanese for their impeccable work ethic. Yet, these productive workers suffer from ‘Karōshi’, a phenomenon that literally means ‘overwork death’. The phenomenon was recognised as early as 1969 and the death toll form it has risen drastically throughout the years. 2015 alone reported 1,456 cases. Officially, the Japanese government recognises two types of Karōshi:

1) Suicide linked to work-related stress, but only if the worker has clocked more than 160 hours of overtime in a month or more than 100 hours in 3 months; and

2) Cardiovascular complications related to work, but only if the worker has pulled 100 hours or 80 hours for the month or two months respectively.

Harsh conditions? The Dentsu employee reportedly worked 130 hours a week while facing verbal and psychological abuse.

Japan is tragically not alone. South Korea, which already clocks one of the highest working, call it 'gwarosa' while China calls it 'guolaosi'. Developed nations in the West are also not exempt.

How widespread is this problem? Here are just 4 examples of individuals who ‘overworked to death’:

1. Bank of America Intern Dies From Overwork

Image Source: Independent UK

21-years old Moritz Erhardt reportedly worked continuous days and nights when he was interning at Bank of America in the Summer of 2013. The stress of working 72 hours straight apparently resulted in him suffering epileptic seizures which lead to his death.

Following this, Goldman Sachs - known for their long hours and stressful working conditions - reduced their intern working hours to only 17 hours a day.

2. French Telco Workers Take Their Own Lives

Image Source: Le Express

35 or so employees of France Telecom committed suicide in the period of 2008 to 2009. The workers left notes citing “work stress and management decisions” driving them to their ends. Employees were apparently scrutinised for every move they made, including “when he or she goes to the toilet; when he eats” and so on.

Following the deaths, Chief Executive Officer Didier Lombard stepped down from his position.

3. Indonesian Copywriter Overdosed And Overworked

Image Source: Independent UK

In late 2013, Mita Diran, 24, reportedly worked 30 hours straight at her advertising agency Young & Rubicam Indonesia before collapsing suddenly and dying from overwork and an overdose of energy drinks.

The ad agency released a statement of condolence for Mita’s passing, but “remained tight-lipped on the cause of [her] death”.

4. Chinese Bank Regulator’s “Fatal Devotion”

Image Source: Bloomberg

Li Jinhua, 48, was a Chinese bank regulator, who in 2014 collapsed and died at work in the morning after rushing to finish a report. He was said to be chronically overworked, and suffered from shingles - reportedly exacerbated by work stress - but “did not have time” to go to the doctor.

A reported 600,000 Chinese workers die from overwork every year, yet the Chinese Banking Regulatory Commission Management Committee - perhaps distastefully - “suggested that his fatal devotion to his job is a model or other Chinese workers.”

The Karōshi and death by overwork phenomenon had once mostly been associated with middle-aged white collar workers in Japan, but now plague younger workers - particularly women. With many companies cutting back on hiring, workers are facing a very dire, very uncertain future, and are perhaps more vulnerable to being exploited by unscrupulous employers. Some fear losing out to tough competition, and end up pushing themselves over the brink.

Many have taken to social media to voice the absurdity and tragedy of this ‘overwork’ culture: Hard work is laudable, but where do you draw the line? What’s the point of hustling so hard only to lose it all?

With more discourse on employee’s welfare, mental health awareness and management, and a call for better work-life balance, it’s perhaps timely to reexamine how we approach work - and our careers.

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Information Source: Business Insider Malaysia, International Business Times, Reuters, Salon.com, Straits Times, The Telegraph

Image Source: Bloomberg, Independent UK,(2), Le Express