Hyderabad techie with severe back pain gets a strict warning from doctor. And he asks for WFH. Manager's reply has internet fuming

A Hyderabad-based employee recently shared a distressing workplace experience that left him stunned. When he requested permission from his manager to work from home due to health reasons—back pain—even submitting his medical prescription from a Hyderabad hospital as proof, the response he received was far from supportive. Instead of approval, his manager instructed him to come to the office the next day regardless of his condition. Frustrated and helpless, the employee turned to the subreddit Indian Workplace to express his anger and disbelief over the incident.

According to his post, the manager’s message was curt and dismissive, simply wishing him a speedy recovery and stating that the matter would be discussed in person the following day at the office. The response sparked widespread outrage among Redditors, who criticized the manager’s insensitivity and disregard for employee well-being.

One user sarcastically commented that the employee should faint at work to make the manager understand the seriousness of his health. Others took a more practical approach, advising the employee to escalate the issue formally.

A commenter outlined a step-by-step process—beginning with sending an email from his personal account while keeping his HR department in copy but excluding the manager. They further explained that if HR insists on having the manager present during discussions, the employee should insist on a private conversation first. If that’s denied, they suggested directly contacting the HR manager or an advisor through email.

The same commenter, who claimed to have worked as an HR manager, mentioned that while some HR departments might overlook such behavior, many would take it seriously if brought to their attention correctly. They emphasized that proper escalation could prevent managers from abusing authority in similar situations.

Another Redditor pointed out that the manager had no right to override a doctor’s recommendation and questioned his judgment. They also warned the employee against having official conversations on WhatsApp, suggesting that all communication should be done over email with HR in the loop. They reminded him that medical documents should only be shared with HR, not directly with managers, to maintain privacy and professionalism.