A Bengaluru-based IT employee’s work-from-home (WFH) request was denied by her company despite providing proof of a family emergency, triggering fresh debate around corporate India’s insensitivity towards employees’ personal crises.

The employee’s story was shared on Reddit by her brother-in-law, under the post titled “Indian work culture is actually insane”, which quickly gained traction for highlighting the emotional and ethical challenges faced by workers.

Mother Injured in Scooter Accident

According to the post, the woman’s mother and uncle were injured in a scooter accident, with the mother suffering a fractured arm. The IT employee, the younger daughter, requested to work from home for a month to care for her, since the mother was unable to move or handle basic daily tasks.

Despite explaining the situation and submitting MRI reports and a police complaint as evidence, the woman’s request was denied. A meeting was held, only for the company to inform her that they were operating with limited bandwidth and couldn’t accommodate her request — even though her role reportedly does not require her to be physically present at the office.

Minimal Support, Maximum Pressure

The Redditor added that the woman’s uncle, who was also injured in the accident, was granted just two days of leave before being expected to return to work. Still in pain, he now relies on his younger brother to help him commute.

“My mother-in-law and her brother had a scooter accident last week. She fractured her arm, and her brother’s face and hand are swollen and bruised; thankfully, no fractures,” the man wrote reported India Today.

He added, “My wife’s younger sister lives in Bangalore and works in IT. She asked her company if she could work from home for a month since my MIL literally can’t move or do anything right now”.

According to him, the company demanded evidence before granting approval. “They asked for proof — she literally sent them MRI scans and the police report. They even scheduled a meeting just to tell her no, saying they had very little bandwidth in the team,” he wrote.

The post strongly criticizes corporate India’s lack of compassion, stating, “It’s disgusting. I always heard about how big corporations lack empathy, but watching it happen honestly is different.”

Reddit Reacts: Users Slam Toxic Work Culture

The post has sparked widespread outrage among Reddit users. Many shared similar experiences, calling out companies for prioritizing productivity over people.

One user shared how their brother, a sound engineer, lost his job after being unable to return to work just ten days after a serious finger injury. Another expressed concern over how modern work culture leaves little time for personal life, relationships, or emergencies.

“My brother had a freak accident where part of his finger was severed. He’s a sound engineer and was working in a recording studio. They wanted him to come back in ten days while he was still recovering from surgery. When he couldn’t, they laid him off. He’d been one of their star engineers. No employer is worth your health — you are irreplaceable to your family,” said a user.

Another user added, “Trash company. My company has a mandatory work-from-office rule, but in situations like these, of course, people get WFH.”

The post has reignited concerns over rigid corporate policies, emphasizing that while work may resume, people and moments cannot be replaced.

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