‘Please be online’: Viral post on leave approval triggers debate on Indian vs Japanese managers

A Reddit post comparing Indian and Japanese managers’ responses to a leave request sparked a lively discussion about workplace culture, trust, and the deeper values ​​that shape professional interactions across countries.

The viral thread features two side-by-side screenshots that struck a chord with thousands. The Japanese manager’s response was polite and sympathetic: “Good day! Okay. Please be careful on your way home.” In contrast, the Indian manager’s response was succinct: “Approved. Please go online on Teams and mail.”

The author of the post explained that both managers agreed to the same request – time off for urgent personal work – but the difference in tone left a strong impression. “The Indian is acting as if he is doing me a personal favor by approving my leave,” the user wrote.

What started as a simple comparison quickly turned into a broader conversation about managerial attitudes, employee well-being, and regional norms around work and power.

Many Reddit users shared personal anecdotes. One of them recounted that he was working under the supervision of a Ukrainian project manager who responded to sick leave by saying: “Get well soon, may God heal you.” It made the commenter feel guilty about faking illness. In contrast, their Indian manager’s first instinct was suspicion: “Why are you sick on Monday morning?”

Another user highlighted how work-life balance varies starkly across countries. “I have people from the UK in my team…some people are gone for months at a time,” they wrote, adding that the workload in Indian teams is often disproportionately high. “We are on average four times more productive than them.”

Some have tried to explain why Indian managers appear to be more strict. “They too rose through the ranks and used similar methods to get vacations,” one user noted. “That’s why they can spot it when their team members do the same.”

This led to deeper reflections about societal norms. “We live in a low-trust society,” one comment read. “Japanese, Ukrainian and most Western workplaces are high-trust societies, which is why managers there tend to believe employees.”

Others objected to the dismissal of Indian work culture for questioning. “Applying for sick leave when you are not sick is not unique to India – it happens everywhere,” one commentator noted. “That’s why, in many countries, companies only ask for a medical note if you’re out for more than three days.”