A recent post on the Indian Workplace subreddit has drawn attention to workplace discrimination and poor management practices. The employee, who described themselves as tall with a heavy build, alleged that their manager repeatedly singled them out due to their body size.
The trouble reportedly began when an old, fragile office chair broke slightly as the employee leaned back. Although the damage was minor, the manager allegedly began holding them responsible for all future chair-related issues in the office.
According to the account, the situation escalated when the manager started sending formal emails instructing the employee to sit upright and avoid leaning back during work. This close monitoring, the employee claimed, made it difficult to work comfortably for extended hours and raised doubts about the professionalism of such treatment.
The post quickly gained traction, with many users expressing sympathy and criticising the described behaviour. Several commenters shared similar experiences, highlighting how workplace equipment is often unsuitable for larger-bodied individuals. Others argued that a manager’s focus should be on supporting employees rather than fixating on trivial matters such as furniture wear and tear.
One user recounted working at the same company for over a decade without facing any such bias, even after damaging several chairs over the years. In their case, the company simply replaced the chairs with sturdier options, prioritising functionality over blame.
The discussion has since evolved into a wider conversation on workplace inclusivity, body shaming, and the need for better ergonomic support. Many stressed that organisations must ensure all employees have access to safe, comfortable equipment and are treated with respect, regardless of their physical appearance. This incident has reignited calls for companies to build more inclusive and empathetic workplace cultures.
