A manager’s unusually cold and dismissive response to an employee’s sick leave request has sparked massive outrage online after it was shared on Reddit in April 2026. The employee, who was suffering from high fever and body aches, had politely requested a day off. The manager replied with a single line that left the internet stunned: “Come to the office, we’ll see.”
The screenshot of the WhatsApp exchange quickly went viral on Reddit’s r/antiwork and r/India subreddits, with thousands of comments calling out the toxic work culture, lack of empathy, and the pressure employees face even when genuinely unwell.
The Viral Exchange
In the shared chat:
- The employee wrote: “Hi Sir, I’m not feeling well today. High fever and body pain. Requesting one day of sick leave.”
- The manager’s reply was blunt and unsympathetic: “Come to the office, we’ll see.”
No follow-up questions about the employee’s condition, no offer of WFH, and no acknowledgement of the medical issue — just a curt instruction to show up anyway.
The Reddit post was captioned: “Manager’s response to my sick leave request. Feeling like shit but still expected to drag myself to the office.”
Internet Explodes with Anger & Relatable Stories
The post received thousands of upvotes and comments within hours. Many users shared their own horror stories:
- “This is classic Indian corporate toxicity. Sick leave is seen as a crime.”
- “Come to the office, we’ll see = We don’t trust you, come and prove you’re sick.”
- “I had dengue, and my manager said the same thing. Had to drag myself to the office with 104 fever.”
- “This is why people quit without notice or go on mental health breaks silently.”
Several comments highlighted the hypocrisy:
- Companies preach “employee well-being” and “work-life balance” in fancy HR sessions, but in practice, even genuine sickness is met with suspicion.
- The pressure to “show up” often leads to spreading illness in the office, affecting the entire team.
Some users defended the manager, saying “maybe there was a deadline” or “perhaps the employee had a history of faking leaves,” but they were heavily outnumbered by those calling the response insensitive and unprofessional.
Broader Issue: Toxic Work Culture in India
This incident is symptomatic of a larger problem in many Indian companies, especially in IT, BPO, startups, and sales-driven sectors:
- Sick leave is often viewed with suspicion rather than empathy.
- Employees are expected to work even when unwell, leading to burnout and reduced productivity in the long run.
- “Presenteeism” (showing up while sick) is silently encouraged.
- Mental health leaves are even more stigmatised.
The Reddit thread also discussed possible solutions:
- Mandatory doctor’s note only for long leaves, not single-day sick leave.
- Better trust-based policies and genuine well-being initiatives.
- Clear HR guidelines that protect employees from such insensitive responses.
What Should Employees Do?
If you face a similar situation:
- Document everything (chat screenshots, medical certificates if possible).
- Escalate to HR if the manager refuses reasonable sick leave.
- Know your rights under the Shops and Establishments Act or company policy.
- Prioritise health — forcing yourself to work while sick often backfires.
The original poster later updated that they took the day off anyway and are now looking for better opportunities.
