“Not Just a Number”: Epic Games Fires Programmer with Terminal Brain Cancer

What’s Happening at Epic Games?

Epic Games recently eliminated approximately 1,000 jobs — leaving Mike Prinke, a programmer with terminal brain cancer, without life insurance.

“Because of the layoff, we didn’t just lose income…we lost his life insurance. And because his condition is now considered a pre-existing condition, he can’t get new coverage,” Prinke’s wife said in a post on Facebook.

“Mike is not just a number. He is a father. A husband. A person [deeply] loved…We are running out of time, and I’m trying everything I can to protect my family.”

CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the video game developer will “solve” the family’s life insurance issue.

“There is high confidentiality around medical information and it was not a factor in this layoff decision. Sorry to everyone for not recognizing this terribly painful situation and handling it in advance.”

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Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.