Deadlines are meant to test discipline and efficiency. But when they begin to test basic humanity, something is deeply wrong. A recent viral post by an Indian employee has reopened a painful conversation about toxic office cultures, where productivity is sometimes valued more than a person’s health. The incident has struck a nerve online for a reason — many see themselves in it. Discussions regarding toxic office cultures, workplace empathy, and the extent to which bosses would go in the sake of productivity have been rekindled by this incident.
‘We Have Deadlines’: Boss’s Reaction To Medical Emergency Sparked Outrage
Told my boss i couldn’t breathe and she says “But we have deadlines”
byu/OldishSoul inIndianWorkplace
After posting a painful story of their boss’s callous reaction during a medical emergency, an Indian employee sparked a heated discussion on social media. Since going viral, the post, “Told my boss I couldn’t breathe, and she says ‘But we have deadlines’,” has struck a chord with many people who experience pressure and a lack of empathy at work.
The employee claims that the incident happened barely five minutes before the end of their shift. They told a coworker that they had to leave right away to see a doctor since they were having trouble breathing.
“To be honest, I was having trouble breathing,” the employee claimed. “It was literally five minutes from wrapping up work,” and instead, they were reminded about incomplete deadlines rather than receiving assistance.
The Deadline Was Announced At The Worst Possible Time
The worker said that the deadline’s urgency was only announced after they disclosed that they were ill and couldn’t finish the assignment in the last minutes. The boss’s attitude was quite disappointing when the issue was brought to their attention.
“But we have deadlines,” she remarked. “Rest and do it early tomorrow morning,” the worker said.
We Are Humans, Not Machines
The employee felt discouraged and ignored after the incident. They complained about what they saw as a lack of fundamental human understanding at work.
“There are moments when I think my supervisor doesn’t realize that workers are people. They may actually be ill,” the post stated. “We are not machines.”
The worker continued by saying that in today’s business world, having a caring manager is a luxury. Those who have compassionate supervisors who actually prioritize their workers are fortunate.
“I wish mine was the same,” they said.
Social Media Responds Powerfully
Users swiftly responded to the message in large numbers, with many emphasizing the significance of putting one’s health ahead of work-related stress.
“Health comes before hustle,” one user said. “If you’re not fit to enjoy it, there’s no point in earning more.”
“Everything is urgent in corporate,” another person wrote. “Work just when you’re feeling well and at your own speed.”
A Startling Reminder Regarding Workplace Culture
Some users pointed out that corporate environments frequently foster fake urgency.
“Since onboarding takes time, they wouldn’t want to replace staff if things were really that tight,” one remark said. “Just work at your own pace.”
Another commenter cautioned against neglecting health in demanding positions, citing recent corporate tragedies.
“Take care of your health,” the user said. “Look at what happened to Anna from EY and see who from the office attended her funeral.”
Conclusion
This viral incident has sparked an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about modern workplace culture, where urgency often overpowers empathy. While deadlines are meant to drive performance, situations like this reveal how easily human suffering can be overlooked in the name of efficiency. The overwhelming response online reflects a shared belief — no task, goal, or deadline should ever come at the cost of someone’s health. As companies continue to talk about work-life balance and employee well-being, this serves as a harsh reminder that professionalism without humanity is no professionalism at all.
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