A screenshot of a chat between an employee and the CEO of a foreign startup with operations in India has gone viral after the CEO issued a “special warning” for taking work from home (WFH) without prior approval.
The post, originally shared on Reddit, described how the employee had informed the CEO via email about working from home due to a twisted leg and mobility issues. The employee clarified that this was only the second WFH request in seven months and believed that notifying management would be sufficient, especially since there were no clear company rules regarding WFH or leave approvals.
However, the CEO took issue with the communication, stating that permission—not notification—was required before working remotely.
The CEO reportedly wrote, “It is not our culture. Very bad. I did not allow you to work from home; you must ask for permission, not just notify.”
Previously, the employee had also faced criticism for merely informing about planned holidays rather than seeking approval, indicating an ongoing communication gap between leadership and staff following the departure of the HR and reporting manager.
The incident triggered a flood of reactions online. Many Reddit users criticised the CEO’s response as overly rigid, arguing that a professional email should have been enough, especially given the circumstances. Others pointed out that company policies vary across multinational workplaces, and seeking formal approval might be standard practice in some organisations.
Several users responded with humour and sarcasm, mocking the CEO’s tone.
The viral post has reignited discussions around workplace flexibility, clarity in remote work policies, and the cultural nuances that often shape communication in hybrid and global teams.