A workplace incident has sparked a major discussion online after an employee resigned from his job because his boss refused to grant him leave. The screenshots of their chat, shared on Reddit, quickly went viral and triggered a nationwide conversation about work culture, boundaries, and the meaning of “personal reasons.”
Why Asking for Leave Still Feels Difficult in India
In many Indian offices, requesting leave is still treated like a negotiation instead of a basic employee right.
Employees often have to give long explanations, face unnecessary questioning, and deal with indirect judgement from managers.
Even when the company has clear leave policies, the real problem comes from a mindset where some bosses treat leave as a lack of commitment. Because of this, many employees hesitate to take a break—even when they are sick or going through personal issues.
What Happened in This Viral Case
The viral incident involved an employee working for a U.S.-based startup. He had joined the company just a month earlier and was dealing with a medical condition for which doctors advised rest.
On November 11, he simply asked for one day’s leave because he had to visit home for personal reasons. But instead of approving the request, his manager asked him to reveal what the “personal work” was.
When the employee refused to share private details, the leave was denied.
Employee Chooses Resignation Over Pressure
Feeling uncomfortable with the intrusion, the employee reminded the manager that he had not taken leave except on national holidays. Still, the manager insisted on knowing the exact personal reason.
Frustrated and feeling disrespected, the employee decided to resign immediately.
He also revoked his manager’s access to his Google Drive because he feared his work might go unpaid.
Manager Later Apologises After Realising the Issue
Later, the manager reached out to apologise, calling the situation a “miscommunication.”
According to the employee, the boss was not familiar with Indian work culture and did not understand the sensitivity around personal leave.
The startup had only 3–4 employees and lacked formal HR systems, which may have worsened the confusion.
The employee also shared that he had been working extra hours, even on weekends, to meet deadlines. For him, the issue was not about one day’s leave—it was about respect and boundaries.
What This Viral Chat Reveals About Work Culture
This incident highlights a major workplace problem that many Indian employees silently face:
- Lack of trust between managers and employees
- Pressure to justify every personal task
- No clear boundary between professional and personal life
- Fear of being judged for taking leave
Experts say that “personal reasons” should be enough for a leave request. Employees should not be forced to reveal private or sensitive information.
Why Setting Boundaries Matters
Healthy workplaces understand that employees are human beings with responsibilities outside work.
Setting boundaries helps prevent burnout, improves productivity, and builds trust.
This viral case is a reminder that leave is not a gift—it’s a right.
Conclusion
The viral resignation story reflects a much larger issue in Indian offices: the struggle for basic respect and privacy. When a simple leave request turns into an interrogation, it affects employee morale and trust. Workplaces need to adopt a healthier, more empathetic approach where “personal reasons” are accepted without questioning. Respecting boundaries isn’t just good culture—it’s essential for better teamwork and productivity.
FAQs
What triggered the employee to resign?
He resigned after his manager denied his leave request because he refused to share personal details about why he needed time off.
Did the manager apologise later?
Yes, the manager later apologised, saying the problem happened due to miscommunication and unfamiliarity with Indian work culture.
Is asking for personal details common in Indian workplaces?
Unfortunately, yes. Many employees feel pressured to justify their leave, even when the reasons are private.
Should employees reveal personal matters to get leave approved?
No. Experts say “personal reasons” should be enough unless company policy requires specific documentation.
Why did the story go viral?
People connected with it because many have faced similar treatment at their workplaces. The screenshots sparked a wider discussion about respect and boundaries at work.