He was first to log in, last to log out, boss's favourite. But when he fell seriously ill...HR professional narrates a real story with a warning for all employees

A viral video shared by former HR professional and influencer Avik has sparked an important discussion about the dangers of excessive dedication to work. In his post, he narrated the story of a young employee whose professional excellence made him the pride of his company.

This employee was known as the most dependable person in the office—adored by clients, trusted by senior management, and appreciated by his superiors. He was the first to log in each morning and the last to leave at night, always available to respond to calls or emails, even during off-hours. His work ethic made him indispensable, or so everyone thought.

When Dedication Turns Dangerous

The situation took a tragic turn when one morning, the employee found himself unable to get out of bed. He had fallen seriously ill and was soon diagnosed with a grave medical condition that required him to take an extended leave of absence. The very company that had once praised his tireless efforts moved on without him.

While his absence caused no significant disruption to operations, his personal world crumbled. During this period of uncertainty and illness, it was only his family who remained by his side, providing care and emotional support. His colleagues, managers, and workplace—the people he had sacrificed countless nights and weekends for—were nowhere to be seen.

A Reminder for Every Professional

Through this story, Avik offered a stark reminder to employees everywhere: professional commitments, deadlines, urgent emails, and late-night meetings will always be waiting, but health and emotional well-being cannot be postponed. Companies can easily fill a vacant position within days, but families are left to endure the lifelong pain of losing a loved one.

Avik urged professionals to reflect on what value promotions, salary hikes, and appreciation emails truly hold if one’s health deteriorates beyond repair. The message is simple yet profound—no achievement at work is worth more than peace of mind, sound health, and the irreplaceable love of family.