A frustrated employee recently shared his experience on the subreddit Indian Workplace, describing how a sudden change of plans by his manager ended up becoming his fault. According to him, he had to attend an official event located nearly 50 kilometers from his home, scheduled to begin early in the morning at 7 AM. His manager had initially assured him that he would be given a ride, so he organized his schedule and preparations based on that promise.
Late at night, close to midnight, the manager messaged him with a last-minute update, informing him that the travel plan had changed and that he would need to arrange his own transportation. By that time, arranging alternative travel options was extremely difficult. Early morning public transport options were limited, and the venue was located far from the main road, requiring an additional five-kilometer journey after reaching the nearest drop-off point. Due to these constraints, he failed to reach the event on time.
Instead of acknowledging the inconvenience caused, the manager blamed the employee, stating that he should have taken a bus and suggesting that managing travel was entirely his responsibility. The employee questioned whether he was actually at fault or whether the manager’s behavior was unreasonable.
Many users online sided with the employee. One commenter pointed out that while such behavior might be considered normal in certain informal or poorly structured organizations, it still reflects a lack of professionalism. They advised the employee to recognize when he is being manipulated and to calmly present factual evidence showing that the suggested solution was impractical.
Another user emphasized that the employee was clearly not in the wrong and that the manager should have communicated the change at least a day in advance, even by minimal workplace standards. The discussion highlighted common workplace issues such as poor communication, shifting responsibility, and unrealistic expectations, prompting broader conversations about professional accountability and respectful management practices.