Mumbai rains: Boss says no to WFH amid flooding, employee’s 2-word reply ends discussion

Mumbai: The city witnesses heavy downpour this week that led to city roads getting inundated and transport services getting affected. Local trains were running late and roads were flooded. Amid the downpour, many offices gave WFH to its employees. However, some refused and asked their employees to come to office. A similar such incident is going viral now and here’s why.

A conversation in an office group chat is going viral where a Reddit user posted a screenshot showing one employee stuck in traffic during a red alert, giving a bold two-word reply to her boss. Many people online are now calling her a “corporate baddie.”

‘Corporate baddie’ says ‘Not possible’

In the viral image, the employee informed the office group by saying, “Hi all, stuck in traffic not able to reach the office.” Instead of showing concern, the boss simply said, “Let it be, late. But arrive..” Without giving long reasons, the employee just replied: “Not possible.” Though short, her answer said everything.

The Reddit user explained that while government offices were closed and many companies allowed people to work from home due to the weather, this one didn’t. The employee, who usually didn’t tolerate unfair treatment, clearly didn’t want to risk her safety just to please her manager. The person who posted the chat also said in the comments that the employee is an Assistant Manager and had already explained her situation over a phone call.

Internet users support employee

Netizens quickly supported the employee and praised her for speaking up and staying firm. Some even called her a true example of someone who doesn’t give in to pressure. Several users felt that many Indian managers lack kindness and understanding, no matter which city they’re in.

Others began sharing their own difficult work stories. One person said his bike broke down in the rain, and even then, his manager said no to work-from-home. He got so upset that he sent videos of the flooded roads to HR and the CEO. He was allowed to work from home for a while, but the many follow-up calls made him quit before appraisal time.

Similar ordeals

Someone else pointed out how some managers say one thing but do another. At his office, a few people came in despite the rain. The manager then scolded the others who didn’t. But the twist? The manager himself was working from home, while the road near the office was covered in dirty water.

Another story came from a woman who had recently injured her ankle. Even with the floods in Mumbai and the pain from her fall, her boss told her to take a cab from Vasai to Powai early in the morning. When she said she couldn’t handle the long trip, the boss compared her to someone from Virar who had made it to the office. She felt that wasn’t fair, as her condition and situation were being ignored completely.