A recent post on the social media platform Reddit has ignited a fierce debate about privacy and professional boundaries in Indian workplaces. The controversy centers on an employee's claim that their manager demanded access to their live location as a mandatory condition for approving a sick leave request.
The Alarming Reddit Post That Started It All
The incident came to light through a post titled “Is asking for live location okay?” on an online forum. The anonymous employee described a disturbing sequence of events that began when they requested a second consecutive day of sick leave due to severe headaches. According to the user, they had already taken a day off for an acute headache and needed an additional day to recover.
The situation escalated quickly. The manager first directed the employee to speak with the Human Resources department. The HR team, in turn, asked for “valid documents” to support the medical leave application. However, when the employee informed their boss about HR's response, the manager made the unprecedented demand: to share their real-time GPS location.
WhatsApp Screenshots and Escalating Demands
To substantiate their story, the Reddit user shared screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation with the manager. The chat log showed the boss initially instructing the subordinate to submit medical documents by the end of the day. This was shortly followed by the request for live location access.
When the employee questioned why such personal data was necessary, the manager reportedly stated that the instruction came from the HR department itself. The employee expressed feeling deeply unsettled and uncertain about the consequences of refusing to comply with what they perceived as a serious invasion of privacy.
Public Outcry and Advice from the Online Community
The post rapidly gained traction, drawing hundreds of comments from concerned users. The overwhelming consensus was that the demand was a gross overreach. Many commenters strongly advised the employee not to share their location, arguing that real-time tracking has no logical connection to verifying an illness or approving leave.
Numerous users expressed skepticism that such a practice could be part of any legitimate official HR policy, labeling it as unethical and potentially illegal. Common suggestions from the community included:
- Politely but firmly denying the request while citing privacy concerns.
- Asking for a written copy of the alleged HR policy requiring location sharing.
- Escalating the matter to senior leadership or legal authorities if the pressure persisted.
One user commented, “Straight up deny it. Highlight privacy concerns... such toxicity and micro-management is what is letting the domestic sector down big time.” Another pointedly remarked, “Tell him you are on leave, not on parole. Should be back on the map once you are back at work.”
Broader Implications for Workplace Culture in India
This viral discussion has reignited critical conversations about toxic workplace practices and power dynamics, particularly within India's corporate sector. Critics argue that such demands reflect a culture of excessive control and distrust, where employees often feel compelled to comply with unreasonable requests due to fear of retaliation or negative career impacts.
The incident highlights a growing tension between managerial authority and individual employee rights in the digital age. The debate underscores the need for clear policies that respect personal privacy while maintaining professional accountability, ensuring that the verification processes for leave do not cross ethical boundaries.
(This report is based on user-generated content from social media. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified.)
