Bengaluru techie requested WFH after family accident; medical proof was asked and then corporate truth got exposed

As Indian workplaces evolve with flexible policies like work-from-home, a gap remains between official guidelines and actual employee support. While remote work is increasingly common, many employees still face rigid expectations that overlook personal crises. A recent case shared on Reddit has highlighted this disconnect, showing how corporate priorities often outweigh human needs.

The Incident
A Bangalore-based IT professional requested to work from home for a month after her mother and brother were injured in a scooter accident. Her mother suffered a fractured arm, while her brother sustained facial and hand injuries. To support her family, she approached her employer for temporary remote work. Despite providing detailed proof, including MRI scans and a police report, the company refused the request, citing limited team bandwidth.


She clarified that she was not asking for leave but simply to continue her duties remotely, as her role did not require office presence. She has since stayed with her family to provide care during their recovery.

The incident has sparked discussion about the lack of empathy in corporate India. Reddit users shared similar experiences, including one where a sound engineer was pressured to return to work shortly after a hospital stay following a serious injury, ultimately losing his job. Many commenters noted that employee welfare often takes a backseat to productivity, with companies exploiting workers’ vulnerabilities.

Users also debated whether publicizing such cases could influence corporate behavior, though skepticism remained about widespread change. Some highlighted the need for stronger labor protections and policies that accommodate family emergencies.


The Employee Perspective
The original poster emphasized frustration over the company’s inflexible approach, describing it as “disgusting” and lacking compassion. She noted that even in large corporations offering high salaries and retention benefits, humane treatment during emergencies is often missing. The case has prompted reflection on how corporate culture can overlook the personal well-being of employees.

This incident sheds light on the persistent tension between corporate policies and employee welfare in India. While remote work has become more common, denial of work-from-home requests in emergencies highlights challenges in balancing operational needs with empathy.