'Can't accept it without a proper reason': Employee shares HR's sick leave message, netizens react

A social media post by an anonymous employee has sparked discussion over workplace leave policies after the user shared an exchange with their HR department regarding a sick leave request. The employee questioned whether the company's approach reflected standard workplace practice or poor management, prompting mixed reactions from other users.

Employee shares HR's response to sick leave request

According to the post, the employee informed HR about being unwell and unable to report to work around two to three hours before the start of the workday.

The user said HR responded by asking for a more specific reason for the leave, noting that employees had already been instructed to avoid taking leave on Mondays and Saturdays. HR also referred to recent directions from the management and said the leave request could not be accepted without a proper explanation.


The employee later shared an email circulated to all staff, stating that workers should avoid planning leave on Mondays, Saturdays or immediately before or after national and public holidays unless absolutely necessary. The email added that repeated leave patterns during these periods could affect operations and that such absences might be treated as Leave Without Pay if they were not supported by a valid reason or prior approval.

The communication also instructed employees to submit sick leave requests through Zoho People at least two hours before the start of the workday wherever possible, specify the reason for the leave and provide a medical certificate or supporting documents if the illness required an extended absence.

Employee questions company's management

After sharing the exchange, the employee asked whether the policy was genuine or a sign of a poorly managed organisation.

The post generated a wide range of responses, with users divided over whether the company's rules were reasonable.

Netizens offer mixed opinions

Some users described the policy as a warning sign. One commenter said they stopped reading after seeing that employees worked on Saturdays, arguing that companies operating on Saturdays, apart from government organisations or public sector undertakings, raised concerns.

Another user, who identified the situation as common in marketing roles, said restrictions on taking leave immediately before or after weekends and public holidays were widespread in the industry but considered such rules a negative sign. The same commenter added that requests for medical certificates were understandable because some employees misuse sick leave.

Others defended the company's approach, saying similar policies exist in many workplaces. One user argued that many employees misuse sick leave despite company rules, while another said sick leave is unplanned and employees should notify their employer as soon as possible, preferably before the workday begins.

Another commenter said the policy was valid and noted that some countries follow "sandwich leave" rules, under which leave taken alongside weekends or public holidays may be treated as Leave Without Pay. The user added that the safest professional approach was to communicate the absence in writing and provide a medical certificate when required.

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