An employer reportedly refused to grant leave for Holi and also mandated that employees must not have any traces of colour on them if they wished to enter office premises. A disgruntled employee shared a screenshot of the manager's message on Reddit, which ignited discussions about the stringent and often toxic work culture in India.
Employee’s Complaint Goes Viral
The frustrated employee posted in the widely followed "Indian Workplace" subreddit, expressing disappointment over the company's stance. Despite Holi being one of the most popular festivals in India, the organization declined to approve leave requests.
According to the manager, any leave taken without prior approval on Holi would be marked as unapproved and unpaid. The company also enforced a "sandwich salary deduction" rule, meaning that if an employee took leave either before or after a weekend or a public holiday, additional days would be deducted from their salary.
In the message, the manager sternly declared, “We will not bring colors on the floor tomorrow!” Further, employees arriving at work with traces of Holi colours on them would be barred from entering and marked absent. The message labeled Holi as a "Business Critical Day," reinforcing the strict attendance policy.
Additionally, the manager advised employees against falling sick or experiencing emergencies on Holi, stating, “Take extra care of yourself and do not fall ill/have emergencies tomorrow!” This directive was perceived as unreasonable and dismissive of genuine health concerns.
Social Media Erupts In Outrage
Unsurprisingly, the company's rigid policies sparked widespread criticism on social media, particularly on Reddit.
“This feels more like a school than a workplace,” one Redditor commented. Another user suggested, “Mass resignation is the only solution to this.” Many urged the original poster to reveal the company's name, demanding accountability.
Beyond financial deductions, the Reddit user also mentioned that employees who took unapproved leave could face additional disciplinary actions such as formal warnings or reprimands.
The screenshot of the manager’s message highlighted not only the absence of a holiday for Holi but also a strict prohibition on celebrating it within office premises. The employer imposed three non-negotiable conditions, emphasizing that any violation would have consequences.
Debate Over Workplace Rights And Festive Freedom
The controversy sparked a broader debate on workers' rights in India, with many questioning whether the government adequately protects employees from workplace exploitation.
One user commented, “This is a total failure of the Indian government to safeguard its workforce. We are already exploited in multiple ways, and now even basic cultural celebrations are being snatched away. Can you imagine this happening on Christmas in Europe or Eid in the Middle East?”
The incident has once again highlighted the rigid policies in some Indian workplaces, prompting discussions about the need for better employee rights and work-life balance.
Employee’s Complaint Goes Viral
The frustrated employee posted in the widely followed "Indian Workplace" subreddit, expressing disappointment over the company's stance. Despite Holi being one of the most popular festivals in India, the organization declined to approve leave requests.According to the manager, any leave taken without prior approval on Holi would be marked as unapproved and unpaid. The company also enforced a "sandwich salary deduction" rule, meaning that if an employee took leave either before or after a weekend or a public holiday, additional days would be deducted from their salary.
In the message, the manager sternly declared, “We will not bring colors on the floor tomorrow!” Further, employees arriving at work with traces of Holi colours on them would be barred from entering and marked absent. The message labeled Holi as a "Business Critical Day," reinforcing the strict attendance policy.
Additionally, the manager advised employees against falling sick or experiencing emergencies on Holi, stating, “Take extra care of yourself and do not fall ill/have emergencies tomorrow!” This directive was perceived as unreasonable and dismissive of genuine health concerns.
Social Media Erupts In Outrage
Unsurprisingly, the company's rigid policies sparked widespread criticism on social media, particularly on Reddit.“This feels more like a school than a workplace,” one Redditor commented. Another user suggested, “Mass resignation is the only solution to this.” Many urged the original poster to reveal the company's name, demanding accountability.
Beyond financial deductions, the Reddit user also mentioned that employees who took unapproved leave could face additional disciplinary actions such as formal warnings or reprimands.
The screenshot of the manager’s message highlighted not only the absence of a holiday for Holi but also a strict prohibition on celebrating it within office premises. The employer imposed three non-negotiable conditions, emphasizing that any violation would have consequences.
Debate Over Workplace Rights And Festive Freedom
The controversy sparked a broader debate on workers' rights in India, with many questioning whether the government adequately protects employees from workplace exploitation.One user commented, “This is a total failure of the Indian government to safeguard its workforce. We are already exploited in multiple ways, and now even basic cultural celebrations are being snatched away. Can you imagine this happening on Christmas in Europe or Eid in the Middle East?”
The incident has once again highlighted the rigid policies in some Indian workplaces, prompting discussions about the need for better employee rights and work-life balance.
