A text exchange between an Indian employee and his manager has gone viral on Reddit, sparking heated debate over workplace culture, hierarchy and communication norms in Indian offices. The exchange, which appears routine at first glance, took a strange turn when the manager objected not to the content of the sick leave message, but to the tone and the absence of the word ‘Sir’.
The manager was messaged by the employee to be informed of the latter’s illness. It was conveyed that the employee was feeling unwell due to an upset stomach, likely caused by something eaten the previous day. Leave was applied for through the designated app, and the necessary person was also informed.
However, the response given by the manager took many by surprise. An update only for the present day was requested, and any reference to the previous day was dismissed.
When clarification was sought by the employee, as the message could not be understood, a curt reply was given by the manager, indicating that any information related to the previous day was not needed.
Despite the employee’s polite tone and clear communication, the manager reportedly took offense at the lack of honorifics and the inclusion of details deemed unnecessary. Reddit users have criticised the entrenched hierarchical expectations in Indian workplaces, especially the insistence on formalities such as addressing superiors as ‘Sir’.
The exchange has become a flashpoint for a broader conversation on outdated managerial attitudes, with many younger professionals calling for more egalitarian and empathetic work environments. It also highlights the generational and cultural shifts underway in corporate India, where formality and deference are increasingly being questioned in favour of clarity, respect and mutual professionalism.
