TOI World Desk
The memo, which found its way to the popular Reddit forum ‘antiwork,’ has struck a chord with frustrated workers who feel the policy is an affront to basic decency.
The memo says, “Calling out because your child is sick is no longer a valid excuse to miss work and will now result in a write-up. We do not employ your children, and as such, their sickness is not an excuse for you to miss work. Go, team!”
For many, the cold tone of the message was enough to spark fury, but it was the phrase “We do not employ your children” that set the internet ablaze. The implication that family responsibilities should not interfere with work commitments has drawn ire from employees across industries.
One user, commenting on Reddit, said, “Well, you don’t employ my partner, my parents, friends, or extended family either. All of which could need my help, could die, could have a wedding, a graduation, or another big life event I want to be present for. Time to only hire orphans with no relationships whatsoever. Idiot employer.”
Another commenter took a more humorous, yet biting, approach to the situation, writing, “Clearly they want you to bring your sick child/ren in with you, so they can anoint the boss’s desk with vomit.”
A third user commented,: “Certain things make you roll your eyes and say fine, I’ll do it. Other things actively breed resentment and will make you work against the company. This is one of those.”
The backlash comes amidst a growing discontent in workplaces where employees feel increasingly squeezed between professional demands and personal responsibilities. In recent years, debates around flexible working conditions, paid family leave, and employee rights have intensified, with many calling for companies to show more empathy towards workers’ lives outside the office.
While some companies are embracing progressive policies that acknowledge the importance of work-life balance, others seem to be moving in the opposite direction, and this particular memo is seen by many as proof.