A publication in Reddit’s R/IndianworkPlace Subreddit was viral after an employee shared a WhatsApp conversation with his manager, which refused to be granted for a headache. The post, titled “My manager when I ask for a permit”, Includes chat screenshots and quickly outraged social media.

In the conversation, the employee mentioned that he had a headache and that he could need the day off. The response from his manager was forceful: “Take the drug and come. It’s nothing, it will get better. It’s just a headache.”

When the employee later informed the manager that the headache persisted and that he could not enter, the manager bend, responding, responding, “Take the medicine hero. Don’t leave for a headache. What do you talk about? You are no longer at school. You’re now part of the company. Rest a little rest if needed but come to the office.”

The unloading tone of the exchange, in particular the line “take the hero of medicine”, struck an online agreement, which symbolized the lack of empathy that is often seen in corporate hierarchies.

Since then, the publication has been viral, and users criticize the culture of toxic work that prioritizes attendance of the welfare of employees. A Redditor commented, “This is so horrible. He has the right to go down for illness, just request -is one.” Another added, “Remember -you always, they will not think twice before replacing -you never give your 100% to these companies.”

Several users also shared practical advice, urging employees to establish borders and to maintain the documentation of these instances. “Note all instances: messages, emails or recordings. When the time is correct, hit them with all these incriminating tests.” He wrote a commentator.

The post viral has reigned conversations on employee rights, mental health and workplace limits in India, with many arguing that the standardization of this management behavior is unprofessional and demoralizing.

As a user suggested it properly: “If your company does not respect your health, it does not deserve your hard work.”