Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Reddit User Highlights Alleged Workplace Toxicity After Manager Assigns More Tasks During Fever
Imagine you're feeling really sick with a fever, but your boss tells you that you still have to work because your main helper is away.
You tell your boss you're sick but you're not going to take a day off.
You just need to take some extra breaks.
Instead of saying 'get well soon,' your boss tells you to do even more work and make sure other people are watching your emails when you take those breaks.
This made the person feel like their workplace wasn't very caring.
Other people online shared similar stories, and some suggested that the person should have just said they couldn't work at all when they were sick.
A Reddit user shared an alleged incident of workplace toxicity where a manager assigned more responsibilities to an employee with a high fever.
The employee informed his manager he had a fever but would not be taking leave, expecting empathy.
Instead, the manager instructed the employee to ensure others tracked emails during his breaks and assigned additional tasks.
The post gained significant attention on Reddit, with many users sharing similar experiences.
Some Reddit users suggested the employee's initial message might have contributed to the outcome, advising clearer communication about inability to work when unwell.
- Who
- A Reddit user ('No_Brilliant_7338')
- What
- Shared a screenshot of a conversation with his manager where he was assigned more responsibilities despite informing her he had a high fever and wasn't taking leave.
- When
- Recently (post shared on Reddit)
- Where
- An Indian company (workplace context) and online platform (Reddit)
- Why
- To highlight alleged workplace toxicity and lack of empathy from a manager.
Employee Suffers From Toxic Workplace Practices
Employee's Communication Contributed to the Situation
Manager's Response to Employee's Illness
Employee Suffers From Toxic Workplace Practices
The manager showed a lack of empathy and instead of offering support, assigned additional responsibilities to an employee who stated he had a high fever and was unwell.
Employee's Communication Contributed to the Situation
The employee's message to the manager, stating he had a fever but was not taking leave and would be taking breaks, might have been interpreted as a willingness to still work, thus leading to the assignment of more tasks.
Handling of Workload When Unwell
Employee Suffers From Toxic Workplace Practices
Employees in toxic environments are often forced to work even when sick, with no consideration for their health, leading to further burnout.
Employee's Communication Contributed to the Situation
When informing a manager about illness, it's more effective to state an inability to perform tasks and the need for rest, rather than suggesting continued, albeit interrupted, work, which can lead to further demands.
- Platform
- Reddit (Indian Workplace community)
- User
- No_Brilliant_7338
- Alleged Incident
- Manager assigned more responsibilities to employee with fever instead of showing empathy.
- Employee's Stated Condition
- High fever
- Manager's Instructions
- Keep CJ informed, ensure Chirag or CJ tracks mail during breaks, monitor consumer mails.
