The sudden death of a young Microsoft engineer in California has raised fresh concerns about workplace stress in the tech industry.

Pratik Pandey, 35, was found dead at his workplace in Microsoft’s Mountain View campus after working late into the night on August 19.

According to reports, Pandey resumed at the office around 7:50 p.m., but by 2 a.m., he was discovered face-down in the courtyard. An initial medical report suggested he likely suffered a heart attack, though he had no known health conditions.

Community leader Satish Chandra revealed that Pandey had confided in colleagues and his roommate about being under intense pressure, managing multiple projects simultaneously.

His uncle, Manoj Pandey, has now called on tech companies to prioritize employee well-being, warning against the dangers of overwork.

“Tech firms should monitor staff working late hours and take steps to relieve their stress. That could save lives. It’s devastating for a family to lose a loved one like this,” he said.

Police confirmed there were no signs of foul play, and the case is not being treated as suspicious.

Pandey, originally from Indore, India, moved to the U.S. a decade ago, earning a master’s degree from San Jose State University before working with top firms including Apple, Illumina, and Walmart Labs. He joined Microsoft in July 2020, where he contributed to the company’s Fabric data analytics platform.

Family members described him as a hardworking and positive individual who loved sports like soccer, ping pong, and cricket. His remains will be flown back to India, where his parents and two sisters live.

The incident has sparked conversations about the toxic culture of overwork in Silicon Valley, with Pandey’s family urging companies to take employee mental health and work-life balance more seriously.