For years, most Indian workplaces have followed the top-down model of leadership, where orders flow one way and any questioning of authority is met with resistance. Toxic management was often serious but dispelled. Silent suffering included micromanagement, unrealistic expectations, and a lack of empathy as job security came before self-respect. However, all this is bound to change with the entry of Gen Z. They would be focusing on work-life balance, mental health, and decent communication, expecting the same values to be translated from their leaders.
At the heart of this cultural shift is the rising significance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Gen Z doesn’t hold back from calling out behaviors devoid of basic human decency, whether that comes in the form of dismissive language, impossible deadlines, or a manager’s refusal to account for personal struggles. A recent incident where a Gen Z employee firmly told his toxic boss about ‘basic human decency’ has gone viral online.
ADVERTISEMENT
The employee pushes back as the conversation with the manager turns increasingly insensitive
The viral WhatsApp exchange begins with the employee informing his manager that his uncle had just died. So, he would need to take the day to be with his family. Without offering condolences, the manager immediately deflected the conversation to a pre-scheduled client meeting and insisted the employee take it before leaving.
Upon hearing this, he explained that his uncle was more than a relative and had played a major parental role in his life. The employee further stated that he just could not join any meeting when he was experiencing so much emotional distress. However, the manager further minimized his loss by commenting that the situation was “not like losing a parent.”
Taken aback by such insensitivity, the employee firmly pushed back. He reminded the manager that he had put in many hours, working long days, even over weekends, when needed, and that taking one day to grieve was more than reasonable. He further added that a person who has just suffered such a blow could not be treated normally, which was inhuman and insensitive.
The employer feels insulted by the employee’s response to his insensitivity
The screenshots further revealed that the manager accuses the employee of ‘overreacting’ and being disrespectful toward his seniors. Nevertheless, the employee stood firm, replying that he was only asking for “basic human decency.”
This infuriated the manager further, who then resorted to threatening action via HR, marking his leave as LWP. Not only this, but he also went to ask for a death certificate to validate the absence.
Advertisment
The manager abruptly disengaged the conversation and told the employee to speak with HR the next day.
Have a look at the real post
Only Gen-Z can change the toxic Indian Work Culture
Salute to this guy pic.twitter.com/5xFLzvB7i7
— Oxygen 💨 (@WhateverVishal) November 15, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
How did the Internet react to the conversation?
The incident sparked outrage online, with a number of users praising the employee for having stood up to unreasonable behavior. Many said that the senior should be sacked first for showing such a level of insensitivity towards someone’s death. However, not everyone supported the tone that the employee took. Some said they would have ended the conversation instead of arguing further. One user also remarked that the company would probably replace the employee pretty quickly.
Have a look at some of the reactions that the conversation received:
ADVERTISEMENT
Any boss who says “client won’t wait” when someone’s relative has died shouldn’t be managing people, he should be managing Excel sheets in a dark room where no human interaction is required.
And threatening HR?
HR should be calling this manager for therapy, sensitivity training,…— Truth Bomb (@Thread_Sutra) November 15, 2025
I have worked with many toxic people. But never came across someone who behaved this way after a death news. If it’s real, HR should sack that senior first.
— Swapna Kumar Panda (@swapnakpanda) November 17, 2025
“get death certificate for your uncle’s to clear this”
the audacity
— Khushí 🦈 (@smilewithkhushi) November 16, 2025
I have worked for Indian clients and foreign clients as well in consulting, Indian clients are the worst. They treat you like shit and not as humans. This behaviour is very real. Any sensible client will understand rescheduling a meeting if the consultant had to deal with a death…
— Abhineet Arora (@abhineet_arora) November 15, 2025
With all due respect, as a millennial, I would have ended the conversation here. 👇👇👇
I would have sacked this person the next day and helped someone else instead.
Being born as a brown Indian and speaking a European language does not make you European. Only those who… pic.twitter.com/O1j5bJAaq0
— ABHI (@aksiiita06) November 15, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
What the f you talking it’s everywhere in the world even in Australia so shut the fuck up and do your work or the door is open
— suman Nand (@sumanNand4) November 16, 2025
What do you think about this? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
