Employee runs out of paid sick leaves and texts founder at 11 pm; his reply wins attention

An employee who had run out of paid leave reached out to her company’s founder late on a Tuesday night, unsure what to do as she was feeling very unwell. She wanted to know whether she should still log in for work the next morning despite her condition.

The founder’s reply was short but clear: “Don’t think twice.” His response has started a discussion about how employers treat staff who need time off for health or personal reasons, even when they have no paid leave left.

Karthick Raajha, founder and CEO of Revv Growth, shared the exchange in a LinkedIn post, explaining why he believes employees should not have to choose between their health and their work.

Founder Says Remote Workers May Struggle To Ask For Leave

Karthick explained that employees in remote workplaces may find it harder to speak up when they are struggling, as managers cannot always tell when something is wrong. “We are a remote company,” he wrote. “There is no manager watching your face. Nobody notices when something is wrong unless you say so.” He said company leaders should understand that employees have lives and responsibilities outside their jobs. He also stressed that workers should not feel guilty about taking time off when they need it. “Your team is not a resource,” Karthick said. “They are people who chose to spend eight hours of their day building something with you.”

Founder Says Employees Can Take Time Off With Full Pay

Karthick also shared how his company handles situations where personal needs must come before work. He said employees should be able to take the time they need without worrying about losing pay.

“If something is happening in your life that is bigger than work, it is bigger than work,” he wrote. “Full day. Full pay. Go handle it.” He added that work can be finished later, but making an employee feel like they are just a number can have a lasting effect.

“The work will get done. It always does. But the moment your team member feels like a number, that feeling does not go away,” he added.

Social Media Users Share Their Views On Workplace Culture

The post drew reactions from professionals, including people who work remotely. Many agreed that trust and flexibility can help build better relationships between employees and managers.

“Trust and flexibility are the ultimate retention tools in remote setups. Treating adults like adults builds long-term loyalty way faster than micromanagement,” one user commented.

Others pointed to problems they have faced at work, saying some companies focus on deadlines and results without giving enough thought to the people doing the job.

“These days, companies expect employees to deliver results on time, but few care about those who work hard regardless of the circumstances,” another user wrote. The commenter also said managers often receive credit for work completed by their teams.

Disclaimer: This article is based on user-generated content. The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18.