A simple request for two days of leave should never turn into a battle for dignity. Yet, that’s exactly what happened when an employee asked his manager for time off while his wife was in labor. Instead of empathy, he faced pressure, unreasonable suggestions, and fear of losing his job. Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident — it exposes the uncomfortable truth of how many Indian workplaces still function today.
Employee Denied Leave During Wife’s Delivery
My company ignored my leave request during my wife’s pregnancy
byu/Distinct_Problem2466 inIndianWorkplace
A man’s wife was admitted to the hospital for delivery. He asked his manager for just two days off. Simple request, right? Wrong.
The manager found out his parents were also there. Then came the shocking suggestion: why not work from the hospital? Or maybe take leave after a week? Or perhaps after a month? The employee tried explaining that he needed to be with his wife. He had hospital responsibilities. Working wasn’t possible. But the manager kept pushing.
Finally, the manager told him to email HR.
The Real Problem
Here is what gets you, the employee, “I can’t quit. I am genuinely scared of getting fired if I push back too much.”
A man is about to become a father. His wife is in labor. And he is worried about losing his job because he wants two days off. That’s the reality for many Indian employees today.
How Does The Indian Workplace Actually Work?
Let’s be honest. Many Indian companies still operate like this.
- Long hours are expected, not appreciated
- Taking leave means you are not dedicated
- Personal emergencies are seen as excuses
- Saying no to your manager can cause you to be punished, or worse
Younger workers want change. They want respect and balance. But the old mindset still runs most offices.
What Did People Say Online?
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inIndianWorkplace
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The Reddit post blew up. Over a thousand people liked it. Hundreds commented.
- Being called during funerals
- Asked to join meetings from hospitals
- Denied leave for weddings and emergencies
- Threatened with a bad review for taking sick days
One common thread? Fear. Everyone is scared to speak up.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- 60% of employees’ work-life balance is poor
- 45% have faced pressure to work during family emergencies
- 70% are scared to take their full leave
- Only 25% of companies have good parental leave policies
Paternity leave in India: most companies give 5 to 15 days. Some give nothing. Compare this to countries where the father gets weeks or months off.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
- Job security feels fragile. With one income supporting an entire family, people can’t afford to lose jobs.
- Bad managers: many got promoted for being tough, not kind. They treat people like machines.
- No real consequences: companies talk about employee wellness, but toxic managers rarely get punished.
- Silent suffering: when everyone is quiet, nothing changes.
What Should Change?
Companies need to:
- Fire toxic managers, not protect them
- Give proper parental leave
- Stop expecting 24/7 availability
- Make HR actually help employees
Employees can:
- Document everything in writing
- Know their legal rights
- Support each other
- Report abuse to higher management
This is not just one bad manager. It’s a pattern now.
When becoming a father is treated as an inconvenience. When personal time needs justification. When fear runs the workplace instead of respect. Social media is finally exposing these stories. People are talking. Maybe that’s the first step towards real change.
No employee should ever feel torn between being present for their child’s birth and protecting their job. The sentence “I can’t quit” reflects a much deeper crisis — a culture built on fear instead of support. Until companies hold toxic managers accountable and prioritize real employee wellbeing, stories like this will keep repeating. The conversation has finally begun. Now, the question is: will workplaces actually change?
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