After requesting to work from home because flooded roads made commuting unsafe, an employee says their manager insisted they report to the office, sparking debate over workplace flexibility and safety during extreme weather.
An employee’s request to work from home after flooded roads made commuting unsafe has gone viral, reigniting debate over workplace flexibility and employee safety during extreme weather.
A request to work from home because of severe flooding has sparked widespread discussion online after an employee claimed their manager insisted they still report to the office despite dangerous travel conditions.
The employee shared the incident on Reddit, alleging that the exchange reflected a broader culture of unrealistic expectations, including frequent weekend work requests and after-hours messages.
Employee Says Flooded Roads Made Commuting Unsafe
According to the Reddit post, heavy rainfall left the employee’s neighborhood heavily waterlogged, making it unsafe to travel to work.
Rather than taking leave, the employee asked their manager for permission to work remotely for the day.
Screenshots of an alleged WhatsApp conversation showed the manager responding, “There are multiple ways,” before adding, “Barish to hote rahega,” meaning, “It will keep raining.”
The manager also reportedly remarked, “Aapse hum lambe rahte hai,” suggesting they lived farther from the office, before concluding, “You need to find a way.”
Employee Shares Photo of Flooded Commute
To support the claim, the employee posted a photograph showing vehicles caught in heavy traffic on flooded roads.
“The funny part is… I live farther from the office than he does. It’s not a competition. I physically couldn’t get there,” the employee wrote.
According to the post, the employee felt the response suggested a lack of commitment rather than acknowledging legitimate safety concerns.
Weekend Work Had Become the Norm, Employee Claims
The employee also shared screenshots of another conversation that allegedly showed work requests extending beyond normal office hours.
In the exchange, the manager asked the employee to contact someone regarding an urgent requirement and work on several candidate profiles. The messages were reportedly sent on a Saturday.
When the employee did not immediately respond, the manager allegedly wrote, “Yaar, aap weekend me replies hi nahi karte ho.”
The employee said they had no objection to helping during genuine emergencies but claimed that occasional requests had gradually become an expectation of constant availability.
“Every weekend I make plans, I have this anxiety that my phone is going to buzz with another work message,” the post read.
The employee added that the issue was no longer simply about workload but about the lack of respect for employees’ personal time, weekends, and prior commitments.
“I’m honestly tired,” the employee wrote.
Social Media Users Debate Workplace Boundaries
The Reddit post generated widespread discussion, with many users encouraging the employee to establish clearer boundaries between work and personal life.
Several commenters suggested discussing expectations directly with the manager, while others advised searching for a healthier work environment.
One user wrote, “You need to set boundaries for weekends. Tell them you already have plans and won’t always be available.”
Another suggested arranging a face-to-face conversation to clarify whether constant availability was an ongoing expectation or a temporary situation.
The discussion has also renewed broader conversations about employee wellbeing, flexible work policies, and how organizations should balance operational needs with staff safety during extreme weather events.
