Hyderabad Employee Denied Sick Leave, Forced to Work Long Hours Amid Toxic Team Lead, Shares Story on Reddit

A Hyderabad employee, posted under the name icynotsoniceyy on Reddit, shared a troubling experience of being denied sick leave by their new team leader. The employee, who has been with the company for 1.5 years, fell sick on September 10 and requested leave, but was told to stay in the office and complete urgent work first. Despite feeling unwell, the employee worked for about 14 hours starting early morning, which worsened their health condition.

The team leader displayed persistent disregard for the employee’s wellbeing by repeatedly calling them early in the morning, even when the employee was asleep and on medication. The employee also revealed that other team members faced personal or family health issues and did not attend office, but the leader remained online at all hours, demanding constant updates. This contributed to a tense and unhealthy work atmosphere.

Additional details revealed that the team leader, aged approximately 55-60, has no family and spends almost all his time online working, with no apparent social life. The employee expressed distress over the toxic working environment but acknowledged the harsh economic reality of India’s job market, making quitting difficult. Despite applying for jobs since April, the employee had found no alternative opportunities.

The story resonated with many online, highlighting ongoing concerns around workplace empathy, sick leave policies, and the pressure many employees face. It brought attention to mental health challenges in demanding office cultures and the importance of supportive management. The employee’s candid post serves as a reminder of the need for more humane workplace treatment.

This incident adds to broader conversations happening in India about work-life balance, respect for health, and the need for employers to build more compassionate environments, particularly as unemployment concerns continue to weigh on workers.