Employee's Reddit Post Sparks Debate on Workplace Expectations and Toxic Culture
An employee's Reddit post about being asked to work while on sick leave has ignited discussions on workplace culture, employee rights, and small company dynamics.
An employee's Reddit post about being asked to work while on sick leave has sparked an online debate around workplace expectations, employee rights, and toxic work culture in small companies. According to the post, the employee, a marketing coordinator, had requested leave due to a severe stomach ache. Despite the sick leave request, the boss allegedly asked them to continue coordinating with clients from home. In a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation shared in the post, the manager is subtly instructing the employee to 'stay in touch' with clients and 'keep things moving.' The employee claimed they were using their personal laptop for office work, even though the company had not provided one. 'This sounds like a subtle way of asking someone to work as if they own the company - but at the same time, pay peanuts for the work,' the employee wrote.
The post described the organization as a small company with just two employees working from the office and 2-4 others working remotely. Despite being operational for over two decades, the employee claimed the company hadn’t invested in basic resources like laptops for staff. 'I barely take leaves - maybe once a month. And yet, when I do, this is the response I get,' the employee added, questioning whether such treatment was justified.
The incident has reopened conversations about the pressures faced by employees, especially in smaller setups, where job security is often linked to silence and over-commitment. As discussions around work-life balance continue to grow louder, this post has resonated with professionals who say 'sick leave' should mean just that. The post has since gone viral, with hundreds of users sharing their own experiences and advice. One user wrote, 'I’ve worked in startups, mid-sized companies, and MNCs - it’s the same story everywhere. Insensitive people in leadership roles are the real issue.' Another shared, 'I’ve seen 30-year-old companies with five employees doing ₹40-50 crore in revenue. Low overhead doesn’t justify poor treatment.' One user offered a strategic suggestion: 'Rule 1 - don’t say ‘stomach ache’. Always cite a reason that makes it impossible to work, like a family emergency or travel.'