Former education coordinator Austin shared his frustration with how his former bosses handled the death of a colleague, Gary, by reducing it to a single bullet point on a meeting agenda. Austin, known online as @captainhowdylife, was shocked to see the lack of empathy and significance given to Gary’s passing during a meeting held on April 27, 2021. His feelings of disbelief and frustration prompted him to share a screenshot of the meeting agenda on TikTok, which gained over 1.5 million views and resonated with many viewers who shared similar experiences in the workplace.
During his time working at the company, Austin witnessed Gary becoming ill and later passing away, highlighting the lack of emotional support and acknowledgment from management. Despite bosses offering a few words of reflection, the focus quickly shifted back to other business matters, leaving Austin and other staff members feeling like Gary’s life had been reduced to a mere bullet point. Austin hopes that his video will raise awareness about valuing life outside of work and bringing a more human connection to the workplace.
The video shared by Austin features the meeting agenda listing Gary’s name and the notification of his passing as the first bullet point, followed by instructions to forward all facilities issues. Many viewers expressed their agreement with Austin’s sentiments, criticizing the company’s handling of the situation and sharing their own workplace experiences. The post also sparked discussions about the lack of care and empathy shown by bosses towards their employees, as highlighted in a recent survey by MetLife showing that 42 percent of employees do not feel cared for by their superiors.
Austin’s video serves as a reminder to value the individuals we interact with in the workplace and to avoid dehumanizing them during significant life events. By sharing his story, Austin hopes to encourage others to prioritize empathy and connection in the workplace, rather than reducing individuals to mere bullet points on a meeting agenda. The response to Austin’s video highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring the human element in the workplace, advocating for a more compassionate and supportive environment for all employees. Newsweek invites readers to share their own workplace dilemmas for expert advice and potential features in future articles.
