CEO alleges sick leave is a 'scam'; netizens roast him: 'Must be paying employees Rs 2..'

Time of India

9 hours ago

Kevan Sadigh, an entrepreneur and founder of REX Reservations, came under intense scrutiny after one of his LinkedIn posts was picked up and reshared by the popular X account affiliated with the subreddit 'LinkedIn Lunatics.' The post quickly gained traction across platforms, not for its insight, but for the controversial opinions Sadigh expressed regarding employee sick leave. His harsh stance on what constitutes being "sick" sparked widespread outrage and ridicule.
Accusations Against the Sick Leave System
In his now-viral LinkedIn post, Sadigh argued that the current system of taking medical leave lacks clarity and is open to manipulation. He implied that many workers exaggerate or fabricate their illnesses to gain time off. According to him, terms like "feeling unwell" or "being tired" are too vague and often misused. He suggested that this ambiguity promotes falsehoods and, in effect, encourages people to take more time off than necessary.
"Sick days are a scam. The whole system is built on lies. What even counts as "sick"? Tired? Hungover? Just not feeling it today? People are incentivized to be sick, so they fake it. It's vague, encourages dishonesty, and actually incentivizes being sick," he wrote on LinkedIn.
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Instead of separate sick leaves, he proposed a revamped model where paid time off (PTO) should be made flexible and straightforward. Employees, he claimed, should be allowed to use their PTO as they see fit—whether it's for resting, recovering, or vacationing. In his words, the emphasis should be placed on genuine wellness and rejuvenation, not on fabricated medical claims.
REX Reservations' PTO Policy
Sadigh elaborated on how his company approaches employee leave. At REX Reservations, he stated, every new hire is entitled to 15 days of PTO in the first year, increasing to 24 days after one year of employment. The company does not allow employees to carry over unused leave to the following year, aiming to promote a culture where people actively use their time off instead of hoarding it. His goal, he said, was to foster a work culture where health and recovery are prioritized over pushing through fatigue or lingering illnesses.
He also added that if someone were truly falling ill frequently—say, taking 15 sick days a year—that should raise concerns about their overall health rather than just prompting a discussion about leave balances.
Internet Users Clap Back
The online reaction was swift and brutal. One user on X shared their own experience, noting they had only taken five sick days in the past eight years, four of which were due to COVID-19. The commenter accused Sadigh of lacking empathy and being out of touch with real-world working conditions.
Others took a more sarcastic approach. One user joked that working at Sadigh's company would require an absurd commitment—400 hours a month for a salary of just 2 rupees. Another post mockingly compared Sadigh's views to those of slave owners from the 1700s, accusing him of treating employees like property and denying them basic human needs such as rest and recovery.
— Whatsgoingonth (@Whatsgoingonth)
— TSaylu (@TSaylu)
Final Takeaway
What began as an attempt by a CEO to advocate for a more flexible PTO model ended up drawing fierce criticism for its tone and perceived insensitivity. Instead of opening up a thoughtful conversation about employee wellness, the post became a lightning rod for public mockery and debates about workplace exploitation.