Indian Employee’s Casual Leave Message to Boss Sparks Social Media Debate
Indian Employee’s Casual Leave Message to Boss Sparks Social Media Debate
Should employees seek permission or simply inform managers of planned leave?
A recent email screenshot showing an Indian Gen Z employee casually notifying their boss of an upcoming leave has ignited widespread debate on social media. Investor Siddharth Shah shared the email screenshot on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it, “How my Gen Z team gets its leaves approved.” The message is notably straightforward, reading: “Hi Siddharth, I will be on leave on 8th November 2024. Bye.”
The viral post, which amassed over 1.2 million views within a day, has divided the internet. Unlike traditional leave requests, where employees often seek managerial approval, this email simply informs the boss, without requesting permission or offering an explanation.
The post’s comments reflect a wide range of views. Some users were shocked by the casual tone, while others saw it as perfectly acceptable. One user remarked, “If I had sent this message to my manager, he would have scheduled a meeting with HR to discuss my behaviour.” Conversely, another user defended the approach, saying, “Normalise this. People shouldn’t have to give reasons if they want to take time off. It’s their right.”
Opinions also varied on whether seeking leave approval is essential for workplace functionality. Some argue that team coordination necessitates managers’ approval for planned absences. As X user Puja noted, “You work in a team, and your boss needs to manage your absence.” Another user pointed out that approval is both an HR policy and a professional courtesy to colleagues.
Others defended the casual approach, suggesting that employees are entitled to their earned leave without seeking approval. X user Atul Sharma shared, “People in my office have planned leaves in their signatures and team statuses. It’s on others to stay aware. We shouldn’t make a fuss over entitled leave.”
A few commenters highlighted cultural differences, noting that while some view such approvals as unique to India’s workplace culture, even companies in Europe typically require managers’ approval for leaves, as labor laws there still uphold team planning requirements.
This viral email has opened up discussions about modern work culture, particularly on balancing individual leave rights with collective team needs and whether workplaces should embrace a more relaxed approach to requesting time off.
