Employee Asked For 3-Day Leave To See His Ill Grandmother; Manager’s 3-Word Reply Sparks Outrage

A man shared a conversation between him and his manager, which has once again sparked debate on work-life balance and the lack of empathy at Indian workplaces.

Taking to X, the man, named Kavi Krishnan, shared the screenshot of his WhatsApp chat with his manager, in which he informed that his grandmother was in critical condition and requested three days of leave. “Hi mam, I’m Kavi Krishnan. My grandmother is in serious condition, So I may need 3 days leaves, Mam,” he said in his message.

Over an hour later, the manager replied with a brief message, “Suddenly u asking.” He did not share what their conversation was after the manager’s text, but he did share that the incident made him realise that Indian workplaces lack “empathy.”

In the post’s caption,

he mentioned that his grandmother had passed away. He wrote, “My grandma was in critical condition, so I asked for 3 days leave. My manager replied, ‘Suddenly u asking?’ And She passed away just now. Some people truly lack basic empathy.”

“Truly Sickening”

The post quickly gained traction on the platform, prompting widespread criticism of workplace cultures in India. Many also compared the incident with practices in other countries, where people in senior positions are much more compassionate when it comes to family emergencies.

“This is truly sickening… my manager asked me to send an opening report and leave for my uncle’s demise when I called him for leave,” shared one user.

“You should’ve replied, ‘Death never knocks before arriving, ma’am,’” one person suggested.

“Boomer managers are the worst in corporates who are still stuck in the 90’s mindset. And it’s a shame that you didn’t point out who the person was actually. Sorry for your loss!” said another person.

My grandma was in critical condition, so I asked for 3 days leave. My manager replied, “Suddenly u asking?”

And She passed away just now.

Some people truly lack basic empathy🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/lrJhcZaF6Y

— KRISH🕶️ (@ltz_Krish) July 1, 2026

An individual mentioned, “Reminds me of my ex-boss; he asked me ‘Do you have to go?’ when I said my grandmother passed away.”

Meanwhile, a person said, “Indian Managers are the absolute worst. I worked under Russians two years back, and they’re so empathetic to our needs, although on face they speak with a stone-cold tone. Europeans are miles ahead, meanwhile. Ask any Indian engineer, and they hate working under an Indian Manager.”