Workplace policies around sick leave are meant to offer employees a basic level of support during illness, but in practice, how those rules are applied can vary widely depending on managers and team culture. A recent discussion on Reddit has brought this gap into focus, after an employee shared how a simple sick day turned into a confusing back-and-forth over permissions, policy, and medical proof.
The employee, who described themselves as new to the corporate setup, said they had to take a day off after developing a fever and stomach-related issues. According to the post, they informed their manager about an hour before the shift that they would be taking sick leave.
What followed left them unsure about the correct approach. The manager reportedly responded, “Are you informing me or requesting approval?” and added that the tone sounded like a statement rather than a request.
The employee, not feeling well enough to argue, said they rephrased it as a request. However, the situation did not end there.
Instead, the manager advised them to take earned leave or comp-off for the day and update their condition later. Not wanting to use earned leave, the employee visited a doctor, obtained a medical certificate recommending two days of rest, and applied for sick leave through the HR portal.
Things escalated soon after.
After further exchange, the employee was told to share the prescription with both the manager and team lead for review before being allowed to proceed with sick leave.
This demand raised more questions for the employee, especially around privacy and process. They ended their post by asking whether sick leave should be informed or requested, whether a manager can deny it despite HR approval, and whether sharing prescriptions with managers is normal.
One user wrote, “Your manager is a loony, but is this written in your appointment letter? Escalate and report to the HR. If this is the culture there then seek another job. Run.”
Another added, “No one requests sick leave. Choose health over donkeys,” while a different commenter pointed out that policies are usually defined separately from offer letters and should be checked on internal portals.
Some users also raised concerns about privacy. One comment stated, “Clear case of violation of personal information since managers are not authorised to see your medical information only HR and company doctors.”
Others focused on general workplace norms. A user shared, “We take sick leaves when we need. In the morning people just inform that they'll be on leave for that day.”
There were also broader frustrations about work culture, with one comment reading, “Weird. One can't plan a sick leave. How can we inform prior”.
The original poster later revealed they work in the IT services sector in India and maintained that the official policy supports their claim, requiring only a medical certificate for sick leave.
The employee, who described themselves as new to the corporate setup, said they had to take a day off after developing a fever and stomach-related issues. According to the post, they informed their manager about an hour before the shift that they would be taking sick leave.
What followed left them unsure about the correct approach. The manager reportedly responded, “Are you informing me or requesting approval?” and added that the tone sounded like a statement rather than a request.
The employee, not feeling well enough to argue, said they rephrased it as a request. However, the situation did not end there.
‘Sick leave requires being hospitalized for 3 days’
The manager then allegedly told the employee that sick leave would only be valid if it involved hospitalization for at least three days along with doctor proof. This, the employee pointed out, did not match the company’s policy, which allows sick leave for a minimum of two days and includes rest at home with medication.Instead, the manager advised them to take earned leave or comp-off for the day and update their condition later. Not wanting to use earned leave, the employee visited a doctor, obtained a medical certificate recommending two days of rest, and applied for sick leave through the HR portal.
Things escalated soon after.
Manager objects to HR application, asks for medical details
The employee claimed that after applying through HR, the manager called and emailed asking who had permitted the application and said it would not be approved as it was not communicated earlier.After further exchange, the employee was told to share the prescription with both the manager and team lead for review before being allowed to proceed with sick leave.
This demand raised more questions for the employee, especially around privacy and process. They ended their post by asking whether sick leave should be informed or requested, whether a manager can deny it despite HR approval, and whether sharing prescriptions with managers is normal.
Online reactions call situation ‘not normal’
The post drew a strong response from other users, many of whom felt the manager’s stance was unreasonable.One user wrote, “Your manager is a loony, but is this written in your appointment letter? Escalate and report to the HR. If this is the culture there then seek another job. Run.”
Another added, “No one requests sick leave. Choose health over donkeys,” while a different commenter pointed out that policies are usually defined separately from offer letters and should be checked on internal portals.
Some users also raised concerns about privacy. One comment stated, “Clear case of violation of personal information since managers are not authorised to see your medical information only HR and company doctors.”
Others focused on general workplace norms. A user shared, “We take sick leaves when we need. In the morning people just inform that they'll be on leave for that day.”
There were also broader frustrations about work culture, with one comment reading, “Weird. One can't plan a sick leave. How can we inform prior”.
The original poster later revealed they work in the IT services sector in India and maintained that the official policy supports their claim, requiring only a medical certificate for sick leave.
