Being on medical leave should mean exactly that — recovery. No explanations. No pressure. No guilt. Yet for many Indian employees, sickness comes with endless follow-ups, calls, and the uncomfortable feeling of having to justify being unwell. One Reddit post has struck a nerve by putting that silent frustration into words.
An Indian employee is on approved medical leave. Part of it is unpaid. Yet his team leads keep calling and messaging, demanding medical documents. The employee shared his experience on Reddit, which has sparked a broader conversation about how Indian companies treat sick workers. His question is simple and yet powerful: “Why does recovery feel like you’re asking a favor instead of taking what’s rightfully yours?”
What Exactly Happened?
On approved medical leave, still being chased for “documents” by TL. Indian workplace things.
byu/ImpromptuHotelier inIndianWorkplace
Reddit user “ImpromptuHotellier” posted about the situation along with screenshots of emails. His team lead sent him a message asking for complete medical documents, even though the leave was already approved after one-on-one discussions about his medical condition. The team lead wrote:
“As discussed earlier, we require the complete medical documents for the leaves approved by me, based on the medical condition you explained during one-on-one sessions. I attempted to reach you at your primary contact number, but it seems my number is blocked.”
The message continued, saying that “I then connected with you via WhatsApp, and as per your response, you mentioned you would share the documents soon. Could you please confirm the timeline by which we can expect to receive these documents? Thank you for your cooperation.”
The Employee Responds
The employee explained in his reply that he would submit the documents once they were in “compliant” format. He clarified on Reddit that his medical records contain confidential information from third parties and need to be reviewed by a civilian hospital for redaction first. In his email, he wrote:
“As I am currently on approved leave, I am prioritizing my health and well-being, both physical and mental. I responded on WhatsApp with the current status and constraints.”
He further added:
“Any further clarification can continue over email, which ensures proper documentation and traceability for all parties involved. I will share the documents as soon as they are available. Until then, I appreciate your understanding, as the delay is procedural and not due to any lack of cooperation. Please let me know if any additional formal requirements exist beyond what has already been discussed and approved earlier.”
A remarkably professional response for someone who is supposed to be resting.
Medical Privacy Laws Matter
Medical records in India aren’t just casual paperwork. They are protected under doctor-patient confidentiality, National Medical Commission ethics regulations, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.
These records often include information about family members, donors, hospital staff, or internal identifiers. Before sharing them with an employer, proper redaction is required. This isn’t the employee being difficult — it is literally following the law.
It’s About Control, Not Policy
In his Reddit post, the employee said the repeated calls and messages seemed “less about policy and more about control.” He wrote:
“What makes it worse: Part of this leave is unpaid. Leave was already approved before it started. I am being contacted during leave repeatedly. The concern seems less about policy and more about control. I responded formally, documented everything, reiterated the constraints, and asked if HR or the medical verification team needed anything specific. But the experience itself is exhausting.”
The Real Question
The employee asked something that probably thousands of Indian workers have silently wondered:
“Why is recovery treated like a favor instead of a right? Why does medical leave in Indian workplaces feel like you are guilty until proven sick?”
This situation was never about submitting reports. It was about basic respect and boundaries.
Reddit Reacts
The post received over 800 upvotes and numerous comments from users who had faced similar situations.
“Wow, 10/10 on your reply,” one user said.
Another questioned the approach: “I don’t get this hostility from the TL. Is HR included in this? Such things are dealt with by HR and not TL.” Someone else dropped a blunt truth: “Repeat after me: HR exists only to protect the company’s interest, not the employees.”
This isn’t just one employee’s problem or one manager’s mistake. It points to a deeper mindset issue in Indian workplaces. When someone is unwell enough to need medical leave — especially unpaid leave — they are already under pressure. Health issues, financial stress, and anxiety about work pile up quickly.
Indian corporate culture still glorifies presenteeism. Working through illness is mistaken for dedication. Late-night replies are praised. Taking rest is questioned.
But healthy employees are better employees. Respecting medical leave isn’t generosity; it’s basic professionalism. And until that sinks in, stories like this will keep surfacing — one exhausted worker at a time.
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