An employee took to Reddit to share a tense exchange with their manager over work-from-home (WFH) rules. The post has gone viral on social media, especially as many companies have mandated returning to the office post-pandemic. While multiple social media users have shared similar experiences, often calling out “Indian bosses,” this particular case clarified that the manager was not even Indian.
Man shares viral chat after taking WFH without permission
It all started when the employee, who works at a multinational startup, sent a message to his CEO informing him he would be working from home. Soon after, he got this response: “Hello, your professional behaviour is not proper.” Confused, he asked what he had done wrong. The manager said, “I did not allow you to work from home? Why don’t you ask but notify? A very, very special warning to you!”
In the next text, the employee tried to explain. He had injured his leg and couldn’t walk easily, so he thought it was okay to just inform his boss instead of formally asking. “My bad, I had twisted my leg yesterday and had trouble walking. I would have mentioned it but didn’t because I assumed it was okay to just inform and not ask for WFH permission,” he said.
The manager showed no remorse. He reminded the employee about similar situations in the past, like “notifying” about holidays and not asking for “permission” in particular. “Permission, not notification,” the manager said, before adding, “the same you did when you notified about your holidays.” He continued, “It is not our culture. Very bad.” The chat ended with the employee replying, “Noted.”
The Startup Situation
In his Reddit post, the employee explained the context. He works at a multinational startup with no clear WFH or leave policies. The HR and manager who used to handle approvals had resigned, so he now has to contact the CEO directly. He also mentioned that he rarely takes WFH, this was only the second time in seven months. The employee didn’t think he needed to over-explain his personal situation, assuming that simply informing his boss would be enough. He also added that the “CEO is not Indian,” clarifying possible differences in workplace culture.
Redditors react to WhatsApp chat
Since being shared, the Reddit post titled “When I took WFH” the post has struck a chord with several Reddit users. Many found it relatable and frustrating. One person commented, “Next time, mix a request and notification: say, ‘I’ve hurt my leg and can’t travel tomorrow, can I work from home?’ It makes them feel involved.”
Another joked, “When you switch jobs in the future, make sure you ask for permission to resign—just for fun.”
A third commented, “Why didn’t you ask permission before posting this on Reddit? A very special warning to you! It is not our culture. Very bad.”
A fourth added, “look for a better place. this seems more like some bossy attitude where someone‘s ego has been bruised.”
