A company’s internal memorandum regarding a ban on taking leaves due to sick children has made people furious on social media. The memo, after it was shared in the “antiwork” subreddit of Reddit quickly gathered attention. It states that employees could no longer take leaves due to sick children and sparked wide criticism. It threatens in the memo that anyone who didn’t come to work for this reason would receive a write-up.
The memo flatly told them that the company doesn’t hire their children; therefore, the children being sick isn’t an excuse. The casual sign-off, “Go, team!” only added to the outrage. Critics have lambasted the company for not being sensitive to family commitments. On Reddit, many cite the adverse impact of the policy on work-life balance.
Parents are worried they would be forced to choose between jobs and their ailing children. Others joke that the policy might force parents to bring sick children to work, thus infecting other colleagues. ‘Then sick employees will infect other employees, making the problem worse,” a Reddit user wrote.
Another commenter teased the wording of the memo, suggesting only orphans would fit their criteria to work for them. The policy also has fostered speculation on the use of dishonesty. Several users suggested employees who may cite personal illness would be allowed to be out without being fired. Parents have expressed frustration with this unrealistic and non-workable policy for working families.
It immediately became labelled as ‘tone-deaf’ because the matter at hand was serious. However, the tone of the memo was casual. Social media commented on the wider issue of workplace exploitation and the lack of empathy by the employer. Speculation went on that the company would either get mass resignations or face an uptick in employee dishonesty.
The outrage puts a growing tension into a harsh light between work obligations and personal ones. Critics highlight how such policies stopping parents from taking leaves due to sick children damage morale, loyalty, and finally, the company’s very success.
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