'Please try..': Manager's plea to sick employee goes viral. Netizens react: 'Say it's an emergency'

A conversation between an employee and his manager has recently become the center of attention on the subreddit Indian Workplace. The viral post features a frustrated worker who shared screenshots of his exchange with his superior after falling ill and seeking permission to visit his doctor.

The employee explained that he had been unwell since the previous night and was advised by his physician to come for a consultation between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. He reached out to his manager, asking if he could get managerial approval (MA) to visit during that time, or if an alternative such as a half-shift leave (HSL) could be arranged.

However, his request met with resistance. The manager responded that approvals for MA during work hours were currently unavailable, citing high absentee rates and unexpected leave requests within the team. When the employee mentioned that the doctor was unavailable before his shift and had already declined an earlier slot, the manager insisted he should still try to reschedule, stressing that the team had been facing significant shortages for a week.

The employee, clearly unwell, tried to reason with him, assuring him that it was only a short medical absence and he would provide official documentation afterward. Yet, the manager stood firm, reiterating that such approvals were completely halted for the shift level and that he couldn’t authorize it.

Feeling helpless, the employee asked what he was supposed to do next. He explained that his doctor had an emergency case in the morning and would only be available in the evening. Despite this, the manager urged him once more to rearrange the appointment, stating that no exceptions could be made.

"Please try to push yourself bro. Reschedule the appointment," the manager told him.

The conversation, highlighting the lack of empathy in workplace management, quickly drew attention online. Many Reddit users expressed their disapproval of the manager’s rigid stance, criticizing the company’s approach to employee well-being.

One commenter argued that there was no need for so much back-and-forth and that the employee should simply inform the manager of his emergency and log off. Another user remarked that poor staffing decisions often led to such situations, forcing workers to compromise their health for the company’s gain. They added that no organization had ever collapsed because a single employee took a sick day, emphasizing that personal health should always come first.

The chat struck a chord with many professionals who resonated with the employee’s struggle, sparking a wider discussion on workplace empathy, rigid leave policies, and the importance of prioritizing health over deadlines.