In workplaces across the world, companies often promote messages about wellness, flexibility, and prioritising employee health. Yet real-life situations frequently reveal a gap between these promises and actual practices. A recent post shared on Reddit has reignited this debate after an employee described being pressured to work full hours just a day before undergoing surgery for a serious medical condition.
The Reddit post by a Germany-based employee, outlined how their managers responded in the days leading up to a scheduled surgery to remove a tumour. According to the employee, the operation had been planned months in advance and would require a recovery period of one to two weeks. Despite this, they said their bosses showed little flexibility or empathy when it came to time off.
The employee explained that their role appeared ideal on paper. It was a fully remote position with flexible hours, a reduced workweek, and access to Germany’s legally protected sick leave and paid vacation benefits. However, they said the reality of the job did not reflect these terms, particularly when health issues began to interfere with work.
Sick leave questioned despite medical documentation
The employee shared that they had been dealing with ongoing health problems, which led to more frequent medical appointments toward the end of the year. While these absences were described as close to the national average, management reportedly raised concerns, pointing out that the employee’s department consisted of only two people.
They were encouraged to adjust their working hours based on how they felt each day. However, the employee said this suggestion conflicted with expectations to remain available during standard office hours, making genuine flexibility impossible.
The situation escalated after a mandatory pre-operative hospital visit that lasted several hours. Despite informing their team in advance, the employee said management responded by stressing the need to complete full working hours and support a colleague before the surgery.
Frustration over lack of empathy
What troubled the employee most was not just the workload expectations, but the absence of basic concern. They noted that throughout the process, there were no messages wishing them well or acknowledging the seriousness of their condition. Instead, they felt treated as a resource rather than a person.
The employee added that remote work was being used as justification to expect productivity even during illness. They also expressed discomfort at feeling pressured to explain personal medical details despite providing formal documentation and clear timelines for recovery.
Online reactions and worker rights discussion
The post drew strong reactions from other users, many of whom highlighted Germany’s worker protection laws and encouraged the employee to rely on medical certificates. Others acknowledged that while legal protections exist, pursuing them can be emotionally and financially draining.
In replies, the employee explained that their employer’s close ties to the legal profession made them hesitant to escalate the issue. They also shared concerns about job security, limited experience, and the difficulty of finding a new role that could accommodate ongoing health issues.
Several commenters criticised what they described as hollow corporate messaging around wellness, arguing that true support requires adjusting expectations, not just offering reassuring language.