In a controversial move to address rising absenteeism, Tesla has reportedly begun visiting the homes of up to 30 German employees who called in sick. This aggressive approach has ignited discussions on social media, where individuals are sharing their own troubling experiences with management regarding sick leaves.
A Reddit user, known as “pranagrapher,” sparked a conversation in the “Indiasocial” community, asking fellow Indians how their managers reacted when they called in sick. The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 1,000 upvotes and a flood of comments that ranged from humorous to disheartening
“Did you have managers who actually check if you’re really sick when you take sick leaves?” the user asked. “Everyone complained about Indian work culture and called it toxic, but what Tesla is up to is just the next level of toxicity.”
The comments section quickly filled with personal anecdotes that highlighted the often invasive nature of management in relation to employee health. One user shared a particularly harrowing experience, stating:
“I once had an accident and my kneecap got dislocated. Mind you, this happened on my way to the office. When I informed my manager, she instructed me to get to the office for a half day,” recounted Reddit user Abhinav Patel.
Another user chimed in, recalling a time when their manager conducted a video call to confirm their whereabouts during a family emergency. “My manager once gave me a video call to check if I was really on my way to the hospital to see my relative who was hospitalized,” they shared.
The intrusive nature of some managers was further illustrated by comments from a woman who described how her boss questioned the validity of her menstrual pain. “I had one mentor who tried to check if I had menstrual pain,” she wrote.
In another instance, a user named Madhurima expressed her frustration when her manager accused her of faking her fever.
“My manager once accused me of faking the reading on my thermometer (102° fever),” she stated.
These accounts of management overreach underscore a growing concern about toxic workplace cultures that prioritize productivity over employee well-being. The ongoing conversation raises important questions about the balance between organizational accountability and employee rights to privacy and health.
As Tesla’s actions continue to draw attention, employees and advocates are calling for a reevaluation of sick leave policies to ensure that they respect the dignity and health of workers rather than contribute to a culture of fear and distrust.
