Boss refuses WFH amid Mumbai rains. Employee's two-word reply shuts him down
During Mumbai's heavy floods, an employee's blunt refusal to come to the office went viral after her manager insisted she arrive despite the dangerous conditions. The employee, an Assistant Manager, firmly stated "Not possible," sparking widespread support online. Many praised her for prioritizing safety over workplace pressure, highlighting a common lack of empathy from Indian managers during crises.
Many private companies offered WFH, but one office has no such policy and asked its employees to arrive even if late. (Istock/Agencies) Related When Mumbai floods, the city doesn't just drown in rainwater—it also floods the internet with viral stories. This time, it's not a pothole or a rescue boat making headlines but an office group chat. A Reddit user shared a screenshot where one employee, stuck in traffic during a red alert, delivered the most blunt two-word reply to her manager. The internet has since crowned her a "corporate baddie".According to the viral screenshot, the employee informed her office group, 'Hi all, stuck in traffic not able to reach the office.' Instead of understanding, the manager responded with, 'Let it be, late. But arrive..' The employee didn't bother with excuses or long justifications. Her reply? A curt but powerful: 'Not possible.'
The Reddit post explained that while government offices were shut and many private companies offered WFH during the heavy rains, this particular office had no such policy. The co-worker, known for not tolerating nonsense, clearly wasn't going to risk her safety just to satisfy her boss's stubbornness. In the comment section, the Reddit user revealed that her co-worker was an Assistant Manager and explained her situation to the manager over a call.The internet immediately rallied behind the employee, with many praising her courage and bluntness. Some even went as far as saluting her for standing up to the manager, while others dubbed her the ultimate corporate rebel who refused to bend under pressure. Many agreed that Indian managers often lack empathy, no matter which part of the country they come from.People also shared their own workplace horror stories. One person recalled being stranded with a dead bike in heavy rain and facing a manager who flat-out denied work-from-home. Frustrated, he escalated the matter by sending video proof of the flooded streets to HR and the CEO. While he did get a temporary WFH arrangement, endless 'discussion calls' eventually pushed him to quit before appraisal season.
Another person pointed out the hypocrisy of management. In his office, some employees braved the rain and made it to work, only for the manager to scold the rest for not doing the same. The irony? The manager was comfortably working from home, while the road leading to the office was overflowing with gutters.
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