Want to use mobile phone during work? You need permission from HR. Netizens react: ‘Worse than jail…'
A software company based in Mohali, Punjab, is under fire after its overly harsh regulations on mobile phone use during working hours went viral online. The criticism began when a Reddit user posted a screenshot of the firm's internal memo in the Indian Workplace subreddit. The post explained that a friend, employed as a backend developer at the firm, had received a notice from the company enforcing stringent restrictions on phone use within the office premises.The screenshot revealed policies that many internet users deemed excessively controlling. The directive appeared to ban employees from using their personal phones throughout office hours, leading many to compare the environment to that of a prison rather than a modern workplace.As expected, Reddit users did not hold back. One sarcastically remarked that the company was clearly attempting to build a 'CULTure,' implying a manipulative and oppressive work atmosphere masked as professional discipline. They mocked the lack of autonomy, suggesting that they wouldn't even willingly stand near such leadership.Another user claimed that even correctional facilities have more humane regulations than what this workplace imposed, highlighting the level of discontent such rules can spark in today's corporate world.Some users expressed that while they wouldn't mind reducing phone usage to stay focused during work hours, it would be completely unreasonable to expect the same restrictions to apply outside of office time. Many emphasized that work-related communication after hours would only be acceptable if the company provided a separate work phone—ideally an iPhone—as compensation for the added intrusion into personal time.Others insisted that if employees are not permitted to use their mobile devices during work hours, then employers should have no expectation of post-shift availability. These responses reflected growing frustration around boundaries in modern workplaces, especially with many companies expecting employees to be reachable at all times.The backlash highlights a broader conversation about work-life balance and the importance of trust, autonomy, and mutual respect in employee management. As companies tighten control, the pushback from digital communities is becoming louder and more united.
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