World Bank employee grieves colleague’s loss, shares a heartfelt reminder for everyone

An emotional LinkedIn post shared by an Indian-origin economist at the World Bank in Washington has struck a deep chord with social media users. Mourning the death of her colleague Anne, who passed away alone and unnoticed, Somya Bajaj's words have sparked important conversations about isolation in the modern workplace.

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A tragic loss

In her post, Somya began by expressing the uncertainty surrounding Anne’s passing: “We lost a colleague this week, or maybe last week – we still don’t know.” Anne, according to Somya, was not just a co-worker, but the heartbeat of their office. She was the one who organised events, initiated conversations by the water cooler, and brought people together, making the office a more lively place. Somya fondly remembered her post-lunch interactions with Anne, even describing the moments when they’d bump into each other in the washroom.

However, the news of Anne’s passing was deeply tragic. When officers arrived at her home, they discovered she had been gone for several days. “We still don’t know when Anne may have passed away or how long she lay there unattended. They estimate it may have been at least three days,” Somya shared, her voice heavy with grief.

The isolation of modern work life

Somya’s post wasn’t just about mourning the loss of a colleague. It was a poignant reflection on the isolation that can pervade modern work life. “We spend eight isolating hours at work for most of our adult lives, and for many, it may be their only social interaction. So many of us live alone, buried in work, with no one to check on us when we go silent,” she wrote.

Somya urged readers to reconsider the meaning of “checking in” on others. She explained that when people don’t respond to messages or calls, it is often assumed that they are simply “busy.” But she emphasised that our lives should be more than just being busy, encouraging people to care beyond the surface level of virtual meetings and polite greetings.

A sobering reminder

The final words of Somya’s post were filled with sorrow: “It has been a very expensive reminder on our floor, and certainly for me. We miss you, Anne, and we’re sorry we weren’t there for you earlier.”

Take a look here at the post:

Her message resonated deeply with many social media users, prompting them to reflect on their own experiences of loneliness and isolation in the workplace. One user shared, "I lost a dear colleague, and like Somya, I often wish we had checked in more often." Another wrote, "It’s easy to overlook how much people are hurting behind the screen; we need to do better."

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Others expressed similar sentiments, stating, “This really hits home. Sometimes, we forget to connect on a personal level beyond emails and calls,” and “Anne’s story is heartbreaking, but it’s a reminder for all of us to be more present in each other’s lives.”