In recent years, concerns about toxic corporate environments have grown steadily, with many employees using social media platforms to share their experiences. One such post, shared on Reddit has brought renewed attention to issues of workplace professionalism and employee dignity after an Indian corporate employee resigned following what he described as an inappropriate request from his manager.
The employee, who was on approved leave, said the situation made him feel humiliated and crossed a personal boundary, prompting him to submit his resignation before even returning to work. The incident has since gone viral and sparked wider discussions around toxic workplace culture and overreach by management.
The person explained that he had applied for two days off to attend a family function over a weekend. While the request was initially met with hesitation, it was approved after he stood firm. According to him, it is standard practice in his organization to notify the manager a few hours before leaving early. On this occasion, he sent a message informing the manager three hours prior, stating that he needed to catch a train.
The leave was granted, but the manager’s follow-up demand took the employee by surprise. He was asked to send a selfie after boarding the train, a condition that left him feeling “embarrassed and humiliated.” The employee noted that such a request had never been made to others and added that if genders were reversed, the situation might have been considered a case of workplace harassment.
Resignation and Response
Midway through his leave, the employee submitted his resignation. He said the selfie incident was the final straw in a series of troubling experiences at the company. Following his resignation, the manager—who is typically not present in the office—came in specifically to speak with him. During their conversation, the manager requested an extension of the notice period by 45 additional days, beyond the company’s standard 90-day policy.
Despite receiving multiple calls at odd hours trying to persuade him to reconsider, the employee stood his ground. In follow-up comments, he confirmed that he would not serve beyond the agreed notice period. When asked by the manager for a reason behind his resignation, he chose not to disclose it to avoid any attempt at justification or reversal.
History of Strict Policies and Micromanagement
The selfie request was not an isolated issue. The employee recalled a prior incident when he and a junior colleague were stopped by a security guard while heading to lunch at 1:15 PM. They were informed that lunch breaks were only permitted after 1:30 PM. He described the company’s environment as “too toxic” and admitted that he had considered resigning after that encounter but was unable to do so at the time.
Future Plans and Advice from Peers
Although the employee does not currently have another job lined up, he mentioned that he plans to start looking after a month’s break. Other Reddit users advised him to avoid naming the company publicly but supported his decision to resign. They recommended using alternative references for background verification and to wait until after securing a new position before disclosing details to future employers.
Some users also warned that vindictive managers can influence HR feedback, suggesting the employee be cautious during the transition. Nevertheless, many reiterated that he was not obligated to serve more than the contractual 90-day notice period.