Boss denied leave for employee who broke his leg, then offered him a 'chair' to sit on at work

When an employee broke his leg, the first question his boss asked was, "When do you think you will be back?" Ben Askins (@benaskins.official), an entrepreneur, shared screenshots of texts exchanged between the employee and his boss, sparking widespread discussion about the modern-day toxic work culture.

When the boss heard that the employee wouldn't come to the office, he texted him, asking about the reason. The employee informed him that he was admitted to a hospital following an accident. However, instead of asking about his health, the boss interrogated him about when he would get back to work. "Not sure yet; the doctor said [I] definitely need to be in bed for a few days, and then they will measure me for crutches," the employee replied. Despite knowing that the worker had broken his leg, the boss insisted that he come to the office and that he would arrange for a chair for him. The employee kept saying he would be comfortable resuming office, but only after the doctor permitted him. "They are always overtly cautious. I kind of need you to just commit to it," the boss said, dismissing the worker's humble request. Notably, the employee had joined the office just two weeks ago, and the boss used that information to demand he join back as soon as possible. This was it for the employee, as he sent one final text that read, "Then let me make it even easier for you; I quit."

The boss was downright insensitive and cold, and was just bothered about the employee joining back. At one point, he even wanted the employee to dismiss what the doctor had told him about resting; that's like literally dismissing professional medical advice. Just like this employee, many consider quitting their jobs because of an unempathetic boss. In fact, according to a survey by FlexJobs of over 8,400 U.S. respondents, 43% of those who had worked for a toxic manager quit or left their job because of it. Meanwhile, reacting to the outrageous story, @jroostah.1 commented, "I've been in this position. I literally passed out and hit my head in my apartment. On the way down, I broke my ankle in two places, but the boss STILL didn't believe it. When I came in to work after surgery, my ankle was in a boot on one of those rolly knee things to take pressure off. Like 0% believed me because that's the kind of thing I'd lie about. I'd come up with a better story if I were trying to lie."

@fortheloveoftraveldiaries shared, "I worked for a company that was pretty bad about letting people take off from work. One day I noticed a large lump in my neck. My doctor said I needed a specialist, and they are only open during the day. My work would not let me off to see the doctor. Finally, after several months, I got a day off to see an ENT. He suggested surgery right away due to the size of the tumor nodule. I had surgery and was told it was in fact thyroid cancer, and I would need radioactive iodine treatment. After three days in the hospital, I was released to go home and wait for the treatment. The day I was released, I got a call from HR, and she asked me what my intentions were. I said, 'Ma’am, my intentions are to survive.' And she said, 'No, I’m asking when you are coming back to work.' And I said I need to take care of myself. I’m not dying for you, and that was the end of that."

You can follow Ben Askins (@benaskins.official) on Instagram for more work-related content.

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