A post shared on Reddit has ignited a wider conversation about workplace sensitivity after a woman accused a senior leader at a Mumbai-based mental health non-profit of disregarding her health concerns. The account has drawn attention to the gap between organisations that promote mental well-being and their internal work culture.
According to the post, the employee was dealing with severe menstrual pain and had requested to step away from a one-hour online workshop scheduled on a Sunday. She asked if a colleague could take over the session so she could rest. The response she received, however, left her feeling unsupported and pressured to attend despite her condition.
The woman explained that her official working hours were from Monday to Friday, yet Sunday workshops were a regular expectation due to a collaboration with another organisation. The week in question had already been exhausting. She and her team had conducted a two-day in-person training programme on Friday and Saturday that stretched across the full day. By Sunday, she said her body needed recovery.
Despite her physical discomfort, she went ahead and completed her responsibilities during the earlier sessions. When she later sought help for the Sunday workshop, she felt her request was treated as an inconvenience rather than a genuine health concern. She also noted the absence of any acknowledgement or appreciation for the demanding work already completed that week.
The post highlighted the irony of the situation, pointing out that the organisation involved work in the field of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. The contrast between its public mission and the internal response described struck a chord with many readers.
As the post gained traction, the woman clarified that workshops were not being cancelled frequently, as implied. Some sessions had been postponed due to external factors, while others clashed with professional commitments such as conferences.
The incident has since sparked widespread criticism online, with many calling for greater empathy, especially within organisations tasked with promoting emotional and psychological well-being.
