'Is this how you speak to your seniors?' Boss snaps at worker in viral WhatsApp chat

Time of India

2 days ago

A recent WhatsApp exchange between a manager and an employee has attracted widespread attention online for all the wrong reasons. Shared on the Indian Workplace subreddit, the viral post included screenshots of a heated interaction between a Reddit user's friend and their manager. The manager's insistence on being addressed as "Sir" triggered strong criticism, with many labeling it an example of India's outdated and toxic hierarchical culture.
The conversation began when the employee informed the manager about feeling unwell and mentioned taking a leave of absence. Instead of acknowledging the situation empathetically, the manager lashed out. He was displeased with the employee's tone and particularly upset that he wasn't referred to with the title "Sir." He reprimanded the employee for using casual language, instructing them to use what he called "good words" in professional exchanges. Phrases like 'let me know' were dismissed as too informal, and the manager insisted on more authoritative wording like 'inform.'
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'Is this the way you speak to your seniors?' demanded the manager.
Agencies
The manager's tone throughout came across as condescending and controlling, further aggravating users who viewed the screenshots.
Online Users Fire Back
The Reddit community wasted no time in tearing apart the manager's obsession with formality. Many users shared their own experiences, stating that modern workplaces have largely moved beyond such rigid power dynamics. One commenter said their own senior, several levels above them in hierarchy, often addresses subordinates with the same level of casual respect—proving that insisting on "Sir" is outdated and almost sarcastic in tone today.
Another person pointed out how, a decade ago, their first boss had made it clear that addressing coworkers by name was the norm and using 'sir' was discouraged. Yet, in many Indian companies today, the urge to be worshipped by juniors persists. Several users slammed this as a reflection of fragile egos, deeply rooted in traditional beliefs about respecting authority figures without question.
Commenters praised the employee for standing firm and refusing to grovel. Some even advised them to avoid using WhatsApp for professional updates, suggesting email, Teams, or Slack as better, more official alternatives. If the manager's behavior escalates further, a few users suggested formally reporting it as harassment.
Still, the conversation wasn't completely one-sided. A minority of users criticized the employee's casual tone, saying phrases like 'I informed you, na' lacked professionalism. According to them, even in unjust situations, it's essential to maintain proper workplace etiquette.
In summary, the incident has sparked a larger conversation about
workplace respect
, authority, and evolving professional standards in Indian office culture.