An Indian professional based in the United States has drawn attention online after sharing his manager’s response to a request for adjusted working hours following the birth of his child.
In a post on Reddit, the employee explained that he and his wife, who both live abroad without family support, recently arranged childcare for their seven-month-old baby. While a nanny is present during the day, she leaves at around 4:30 pm, after which he takes over until his wife returns home at approximately 7:30 pm.
The employee, who works remotely, informed his manager about the situation and proposed a revised schedule to accommodate his responsibilities at home. In his message, he wrote: “We have a nanny for our seven-month-old baby, and she will be leaving at 4:30 pm, so I will be out of the office each day from 4:30–7:30 pm to care for the baby.”
He added that he intended to maintain his workload by adjusting his hours. “I plan to make up this time either at night or by starting my day earlier, depending on my schedule. I hope this adjustment works for you and the team.”
According to the post, the manager responded positively and without hesitation. “This is wonderful. I hope your baby enjoys spending time with the nanny and quickly learns many new things. Thank you for sharing this update,” she wrote.
She also suggested a practical step to avoid scheduling issues, adding: “To avoid any misunderstandings or scheduling conflicts, I suggest blocking this time as OOO in your calendar. This will help prevent any potential issues.”
The employee described the response as an example of supportive leadership, writing that it reflected “what a good manager looks like.”
He also contrasted his experience with perceptions of workplace culture in India. “While we long for being close to our family, amazing Indian food, and that traditional vibe during festivals, this is one of the reasons why I don’t think I can work in India EVER!!” he wrote, adding that the level of flexibility and trust he experiences abroad motivates him to perform better.
“The level of freedom and work culture you get abroad is just next level! I can work at any time and no one is going to come asking questions about my commitment. Because there is so much trust, it only motivates me to do better and I always make sure I over-deliver at work,” he added.
The post has since attracted significant engagement, with users commenting on the importance of empathy in management, particularly for employees balancing work and family responsibilities.
One user wrote, “You’ve been incredibly lucky lol.” Another commented, “My manager would have replied with- According to our company policies, it is not possible to give you 3 hours of during business hours. Also you need to come office 5 days a week as per latest policy.”
A third user said, “Crazy. I wish this could be normalised in India too.” However, another added a different perspective, writing, “Good managers like these are there in India too.”