A screenshot of a conversation between a startup employee and the CEO of the company went viral on the internet after it showed a “special warning” given for doing work from home (WFH) without approval. The post, posted by @BeatAdditional3046 on Reddit, showed the plight of employees in a foreign startup with a branch in India.
Lack of Clear WFH Policies
The employee said that there were no clear policies for WFH or leaves within the company. Earlier, all requests were processed through emails to the manager and HR. But since both had quit, employees had to go directly to the CEO with such requests.
CEO Demands Permission, Not Just Notification
In this case, the worker had sent a formal email to the CEO informing him of work-from-home, thinking that it was enough since it was the second WFH in seven months. The CEO, however, stressed that formal permission was required:
“It is not our culture. Very bad. I did not allow you to work from home; you must ask for permission, not just notify.”
The worker subsequently described that the request for WFH was because of a bent leg, which was difficult to walk on. Nevertheless, they did not think it was important to over-explain private health matters in a formal work email.
Reddit Users Respond
The post evoked a split response on the net. Some users condemned the CEO’s strict policy, saying that the sending of a professional WFH notice would have been enough. Others contended that multinational companies tend to have distinct rules, and workers should learn about proper approval protocols.
A Reddit user made the following comment:
“Dude, when you make the switch, which you’ll definitely do in the future, request permission to quit just as a prank.”
The article pinpoints increasing pressure among startups between worker independence and official policies, generating debate around flexibility and workplace culture in working remotely.
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