A team leader recently received significant admiration on the Indian Workplace subreddit after sharing a heart-warming interaction with a freelance professional. The manager explained that he wanted to post the exchange to remind people that considerate supervisors do exist, even if they are not common.
He clarified that the chat involved a freelance web designer who had just begun working on a project after receiving the initial payment. Unfortunately, she came down with an illness soon after and felt extremely guilty for not being able to begin her tasks, particularly because the assignment had already been delayed due to a birthday celebration and festival commitments before she fell sick.
The manager pointed out that people are human and illnesses are never planned. Because of that, he saw no reason to question her sincerity or respond harshly at a moment when she genuinely required reassurance and kindness. He immediately granted her time off and reminded her that she did not need to seek permission for unavoidable circumstances—simply informing him would be enough.
"You shouldn't ask. You should inform. Take care," read his response.
He concluded his post by urging leaders to treat their teams with decency and empathy, emphasising that professionals should be trusted unless they break that trust, and viewed as innocent unless proven otherwise
Another community member reflected on how unhealthy work environments have become so common that simple kindness now stands out like a rare gem. This commenter encouraged leaders to treat their teams with the same care they would show their own children, to extend trust until it is clearly broken, and to create reasonable boundaries that prevent misuse without sliding into micromanagement. They added that every employee is someone’s child and deserves that level of respect. According to them, when people are treated with fairness and humanity, they naturally respond with loyalty, creativity, and ideas that help the organisation grow.
He clarified that the chat involved a freelance web designer who had just begun working on a project after receiving the initial payment. Unfortunately, she came down with an illness soon after and felt extremely guilty for not being able to begin her tasks, particularly because the assignment had already been delayed due to a birthday celebration and festival commitments before she fell sick.
The manager pointed out that people are human and illnesses are never planned. Because of that, he saw no reason to question her sincerity or respond harshly at a moment when she genuinely required reassurance and kindness. He immediately granted her time off and reminded her that she did not need to seek permission for unavoidable circumstances—simply informing him would be enough.
"You shouldn't ask. You should inform. Take care," read his response.
He concluded his post by urging leaders to treat their teams with decency and empathy, emphasising that professionals should be trusted unless they break that trust, and viewed as innocent unless proven otherwise
.Redditors React
One user praised the manager’s approach, calling it admirable and reminding him to stay cautious so that no one takes unfair advantage of his generosity, while also noting that productivity remains important.Another community member reflected on how unhealthy work environments have become so common that simple kindness now stands out like a rare gem. This commenter encouraged leaders to treat their teams with the same care they would show their own children, to extend trust until it is clearly broken, and to create reasonable boundaries that prevent misuse without sliding into micromanagement. They added that every employee is someone’s child and deserves that level of respect. According to them, when people are treated with fairness and humanity, they naturally respond with loyalty, creativity, and ideas that help the organisation grow.