A 19-year-old employee working with one of the country’s largest and most recognisable salon franchises has sparked an online discussion on restrictive leave policies and workplace control, after alleging that management allows time off only on a single designated weekday. The employee, who works as a content creator, shared her experience on Reddit, describing what she called an inflexible and demoralising work culture that leaves little room for personal autonomy despite formally defined leave entitlements.
Leave Policy on Paper, Restrictions in Practice
According to the post, the employee is officially entitled to four leaves per month, with the condition that these can be availed only on weekdays. While she acknowledged that weekend work is part of the job and accepted the arrangement, she said problems arose when she attempted to take a leave on a Wednesday.
Instead of approval, she claimed she was informed that leaves could now be taken only on Tuesdays.
“Leaves are meant to be used when you need time for yourself, personal work or emergencies,” the employee wrote, questioning how such needs could be restricted to a single day of the week.
Role Disparity Adds to Frustration
Adding to her frustration, the employee noted that her role as a content creator does not involve direct client handling or operational decision-making, making the strict control over attendance feel disproportionate.
She said the rigidity appeared unnecessary, particularly when compared with the flexibility often associated with creative roles.
“I am not in a critical operational position,” she said, adding that the lack of trust and autonomy had left her questioning management intent.
Past Experience and Toxic Culture Claims
The post also revealed that the employee had previously worked at the same salon chain in a managerial capacity, giving her insight into internal operations and workplace dynamics.
She alleged that the organisation had a long-standing toxic work culture and claimed that questionable billing practices were common. However, she clarified that she had never raised these issues publicly, stating that she considered them “not her business”.
The recent restrictions, she said, had pushed her patience to its limit.
Online Reaction: ‘Leave Should Not Need Permission Beyond Policy’
The Reddit post drew strong reactions, with users criticising what they described as micromanagement and misuse of authority. Many commenters pointed out that if an employee is granted a fixed number of leaves, management should not dictate the specific day unless operationally justified.
Several users advised the employee to document all communication regarding leave policies, while others suggested seeking clarity in writing from human resources or senior management.
Some commenters also flagged the incident as a red flag, warning that such rigid rules often signal deeper cultural issues within organisations.