A Reddit user believes that “toxic work culture and Indian toxic work culture are separate cultures,” after his friend was denied an emergency leave by her boss to take care of her sick parents. The man even shared a screenshot of the WhatsApp conversation between his friend and her boss on Reddit. The post, shared on the platform’s “Indian Workplace” community, is marked under the tag “Workplace Toxicity”.
‘Boss expects seriousness from interns but…’
“Boss won’t allow my friend to take emergency leave as an unpaid intern,” read the title of the post shared on Reddit.
The man further explains, “My friend is doing an unpaid internship, but her boss gives her unlimited responsibility. He expects seriousness from his interns even though he doesn’t treat them seriously….”
Viral WhatsApp chat between boss and intern
According to the screenshot he shared, there were to-and-fro messages between the boss and the intern. In her WhatsApp message requesting leave, the intern apologises for the short notice and explains that both her parents are on bed rest and she needs to take care of them.
“Sir, I’m really sorry for the short notice. I won’t be able to come in today. I have an emergency situation at home since my parents are really sick and on bed rest right now. So, I need to stay back,” she wrote in her WhatsApp message.
She further assures her boss that it wouldn’t happen again and that she would send him edited videos by EOD.
“I am really sorry for the sudden absence, but it won’t happen again. I’ll send you the morphed runway videos by today,” read the WhatsApp message sent by the intern.
Indian boss denies leave to intern
In response to this, the intern’s boss denied her leave.
“When you are interning somewhere, there is a responsibility too… Three days before a big event, you’ve gone missing… Anyways, your choice…. This shows seriousness towards your work,” her Indian boss replied.
The woman then apologises for her absence. “I’m really sorry, sir. I would have gone if it weren’t a serious condition. I really apologise for the absence. I know this week is important for the event. I’ll be there tomorrow on time. I’m really sorry, sir.”
Boss won’t allow my friend to take emergency leaves as an unpaid intern
byu/ashueep inIndianWorkplace
Internet, as expected, is furious
Redditors, after reading the WhatsApp chat, flocked to the comments section of the post and shared their thoughts. Many even suggested that one shouldn’t do an unpaid internship. “If the place falls apart by an intern taking a day off, they really shouldn’t be keeping interns!” read one comment. Another joined by saying, “And pay them at least.”
One didn’t mince words and said, “They shouldn’t be existing as a company to start with.”
“It’s just a way of showing urgency and having a properly divided workload. Nothing else. Was rude though, could’ve said you take an off today, take care of your parents, but please don’t take another one since our big event is coming up,” commented a third.
Around 200 people agreed with this Redditor who said: “Whether you are an intern or an employee, it doesn’t matter. If you need a leave for family, take it without guilt and without being sorry. Work won’t stop, but you will end up losing time spent with family. If your company lacks contingency measures in such emergency situations, it is their fault, not yours!”
“Tell your friend to respond with ‘You’re right. Prioritising my parents’ health over an unpaid internship exposes my shocking lack of commitment. Next time, I’ll remind them to get sick on a weekend or during a major holiday,” another Redditor suggested a reply that the intern should give to the boss.