A Taiwanese airline, EVA Air, is at the centre of global criticism following its recent request for sick leave paperwork from a deceased flight attendant, exposing serious gaps in workplace empathy and policy.
The incident, which has prompted both public outrage and institutional soul-searching, is now setting the stage for major discussions on employee wellbeing across industries.
Tragic Sequence of Events
The incident traces back to September 24, during a long-haul flight from Milan to Taoyuan, Taiwan, when 34-year-old EVA Air flight attendant Ms Sun began to feel unwell. After being treated at a nearby clinic post-landing, her health declined, leading to hospital admission on September 26. Sun’s condition failed to improve despite treatment and a subsequent transfer to another hospital on October 8.
Tragically, she passed away just two days later on October 10, leaving her family and colleagues in deep grief.
Insensitive Request and Immediate Fallout
Shockingly, only days after her death, a representative from the airline sent a message to her phone seeking proof for her sick leave application. Sun’s family, forced to process bureaucratic requirements amidst their grief, responded by sending a copy of her death certificate to the airline.
News of this insensitive request quickly spread, after a colleague of the late Sun exposed the situation online. This triggered a heated reaction across Taiwan’s social media and international news, with expansive calls for justice and reform in how airlines and companies manage health-related leave and employee deaths.
EVA Air and Official Response
Facing a tidal wave of scepticism and criticism, EVA Air publicly apologised, admitting the request was a result of staff being “insufficiently familiar with their work duties”. In an official statement, the airline expressed that it was “deeply saddened” by Sun’s death and extended its “deepest apologies” to her family. Sun Chia-Ming, the airline’s president, addressed the media stating: “The departure of Ms Sun is the pain in our hearts forever. We will carry out the investigation with the most responsible attitude.”.
With continued pressure from labour advocates and the general public, EVA Air, alongside Taiwanese authorities, have now commenced a formal investigation into whether Sun was denied proper medical leave or company support in the period leading up to her death.
Unions, Systemic Concerns, and Policy Reform
The incident did not occur in a vacuum. Unions and advocacy groups swiftly pointed to wider, systemic issues, alleging chronic understaffing and discouragement from taking sick leave among flight crew. One anonymous colleague described the event as “not some regrettable coincidence, but the result of systemic and long-term indifference to crew members’ health”.
In response to outrage and protest, Taiwan’s Labour Ministry has announced new policies prohibiting airlines from penalising employees for taking legitimate sick leave, and broader reviews of workplace culture are underway.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The EVA Air case exemplifies why kindness, policy reform, and institutional empathy must be front and centre in any workplace, especially in high-pressure jobs. Companies need not only efficient policies but also compassionate implementation, ensuring that the dignity and health of every worker remain non-negotiable priorities.
The Logical Indian urges employers everywhere to review their policies critically.
