Employee Forced to Justify Leave During Wife's Delivery
A disturbing workplace incident has gone viral on social media, exposing what many are calling the toxic work culture prevalent in some Indian companies. An employee shared his harrowing experience of being asked to work from the hospital while his wife was in labour, sparking widespread outrage and discussion about workplace boundaries.
The Distressing Hospital Room Conversation
According to the viral Reddit post shared on the r/IndianWorkplace subreddit, the employee had informed his manager that his wife had been admitted to the hospital for the delivery of their first child. He requested just two days of leave to support his wife during this critical life event. Instead of showing basic human empathy, the manager responded by suggesting he postpone his leave or continue working remotely from the hospital room.
The manager reportedly dismissed the employee's concerns with the insensitive remark, "You won't have to do anything anyway," completely overlooking the emotional significance of the moment and the practical realities of being in a delivery room.
The employee expressed his helplessness during the conversation, writing: "I felt completely helpless during that chat. At a time when I should be focusing on my wife and my newborn, I was stuck justifying why I can't sit with my laptop in a hospital room."
Financial Pressures and Workplace Fear
The post revealed the employee's difficult position of feeling trapped in his job despite the unreasonable demands. He explained that financial pressures and growing family responsibilities made quitting impossible. With a newborn child and increasing responsibilities, the fear of losing his job prevented him from pushing back more strongly against his manager's demands.
"The worst part? I can't quit. I already have a kid and growing responsibilities. And with the way things are in my company, I'm genuinely scared of getting fired if I push back too much," the employee confessed in his emotional post.
He concluded by questioning the outdated management mindset prevalent in some Indian workplaces, asking why managers still believe employees shouldn't have personal lives even during significant life events like childbirth.
Social Media Backlash and Calls for Change
The Reddit post quickly gained traction, sparking intense discussion about workplace ethics and employee rights in India. Many users shared similar experiences while others expressed outrage at the manager's lack of basic humanity.
One Reddit user commented: "We need better labor laws in India. Sometimes I find it super hard to comprehend how people can be so insensitive." The user added that even towards an "arch nemesis," they wouldn't display such behavior, questioning what drives managers to act this way.
Another user suggested practical steps for addressing such issues: "You need to start taking up these things in townhalls, or with senior management or HR when they ask you to speak up."
The incident has highlighted the urgent need for better workplace protections and more humane management practices in Indian companies, particularly during employees' most vulnerable moments.
