Worklife

An employee's request for a sick day due to body pain and exhaustion was met with a mixed response from his manager, who cited previous absences and team workload. The employee defended his prior time off, referencing covering for the manager and a family emergency.

A Generation Z job applicant's arrogant WhatsApp message to a recruiter sparked debate online after he boasted about his academic background and dismissed the company. Redditors largely criticized his attitude, emphasizing the importance of humility and likability in the workplace.

An employee on Indian Workplace subreddit expressed frustration over their startup's classroom-like environment. The manager, a former professor, embarrasses the team with odd demands and cost-cutting measures. Innovation sessions are unproductive, and leadership ignores concerns, prompting the employee to consider confronting the manager before potentially leaving the company.

An Indian employee faced her manager's disapproval for sleeping after extensive work. The manager messaged her early morning expressing disappointment. The employee, grieving her father's death, had been working tirelessly. She defended herself, citing exhaustion. The manager then attempted to soften his stance. This incident sparked discussion about startup work culture and employee exploitation on social media platform Reddit.

A software engineer faced rejection despite meeting all job requirements. The candidate applied for a senior role. The company considered him overqualified. This raised concerns among the online community. Some speculate about hidden reasons. These include salary expectations and internal candidates. The incident highlights unclear hiring practices. It also shows potential biases in recruitment processes.

After facing three layoffs in two years, New York professional Sarah Henschel chose to leave her 12-year tech sales career and pursue teaching. At 35, she is studying for a master’s in education, valuing stability, pensions, and health benefits over high but uncertain tech salaries. With prior tutoring and teaching experience, she sees education as both meaningful and secure, offering long-term financial growth despite an initial pay cut.

A dedicated employee faced disappointment after being denied a promised promotion despite years of hard work and taking on extra responsibilities. The company opted to hire an outsider, leading to his resignation and a harsh realization. He learned that corporate advancement often prioritizes self-promotion and visibility over quiet dedication, prompting a reevaluation of workplace strategies.

An employee faced immense pressure from his manager at an MNC during his daughter's critical surgery. Despite requesting leave under the company's care policy, he was compelled to present at a high-stakes client meeting. This insensitive demand, coupled with prior toxic behavior, led to his resignation, highlighting a broader issue of managerial empathy in the Indian workplace.

An employee on Indian Workplace subreddit shared a positive experience. The employee received flowers from his manager on completing one year at work. The manager worked from a different location. The employee shared a screenshot of their conversation. Redditors reacted with appreciation and humor. Some users mentioned similar gestures at their workplaces. Others joked about salary increments.

An Indian professional faced a tough choice when his company denied him leave for his brother's wedding in the US, demanding he choose between the event and his job. Despite years of dedication and sacrifices, the employer showed no empathy, leading him to resign.

A job seeker encountered an unusually personal interview experience, raising concerns about professional boundaries. The HR representative, after being significantly late, delved into the candidate's family background, childhood, and emotional challenges. This extensive personal questioning, preceding any discussion of professional experience, sparked debate online about potential exploitation and ethical interview practices.

Harsh Varshney, a Google software engineer, shares insights for young engineers on thriving in Big Tech. While AI has become central to modern engineering, Varshney emphasizes that it’s not enough on its own. Success requires strong computer science fundamentals, deep expertise in AI both as a builder and power user, and the ability to translate knowledge into real-world projects.