Tech employee working 50+ hour weeks takes one personal day, now HR accuses him of being a slacker: 'It’s insane how taking care of yourself is seen as a red flag'

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 5, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

This employee learned the hard way that when you need to take a personal day for whatever reason, you shouldn't provide many details as to why. Otherwise, those reasons could be easily twisted and used against you down the road.

Of course, not every workplace environment is this manipulative, but employees need to be prepared just in case. You never know if someone higher up on the food chain, so to speak, has a duplicitous side to them. Now, if you find yourself in a similar predicament to this employee's situation, in which you are overworked and experiencing burnout, you shouldn't have to do much more than call in sick. After all, if you were contagious, it would be mutually beneficial for all if you didn't come into the office. If you're not contagious and just need the day to recover, no one needs to know! Some of you out there have some unlearning to do when it comes to establishing boundaries at work.

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from members of the online community!

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    Cheezburger Image 10513809920
    via Vitaly Gariev

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • This employee was regularly working 50+ hours a week when it finally hit him that he needed a day off. However, once he mentioned the reason, everyone at work with their backwards mentality started freaking out. When he returned to the office, his boss sent him a passive-aggressive message about needing to soldier on, and now, he has to endure a shady meeting with human resources about his mental fitness at the company.

  • 02
    A friend of mine works at this mid-size tech company-nothing glamorous, but decent benefits. They've been busting their a for months: 50+ hour weeks,
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    constantly covering for a teammate who quit, and taking on "extra" tasks without ever getting a thank you, let alone a raise.
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  • 04
    Well, last week, they finally took a single mental health day. First one in over a year. Came back the next day refreshed... only to be hit with this passive-aggressive gem from their manager:
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  • 05
    "We all feel overwhelmed sometimes, but success is about pushing through. Just a thought."
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  • 06
    Like what?? Not even a "hope you're feeling better," just a veiled guilt trip.
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  • 07
    It gets worse-later that week, they were suddenly scheduled for a surprise "check-in" meeting with HR to talk about their "long- term role and alignment." No prior issues, no complaints, never late. Just one day off and suddenly they're a liability?
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  • 08
    It's insane how taking care of yourself is seen as a red flag now. Corporate will slap motivational quotes on the walls but god forbid you actually pause to protect your mental health. Feels like these places don't want employees-they want robots.
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  • 09
    jadskljfadsklfjad... 48m ago . SUCCESS IS aBoUt JuSt PuShInG tHrOuGh
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    Cheezburger Image 10513810432
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 11
    Needrain47.41m ago Why did they say they were taking a mental health day? Just call in sick. You don't have to justify using your sick time.
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  • 12
    bubbas • 34m ago Never refer to it as a "mental health day", always call it a "sick day". Mental health is a sickness/illness like any other, the difference is it's not visible.
    via Disastrous_Bench_763
  • 13
    People assume it's just slacking, or not being tough enough, or whatever. The funny thing is, if work treats me well, then I naturally put in more effort.
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  • 14
    If work treats me poorly or like a number, then I start treating things more transactionally.
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  • 15
    Aggressive Staff _... 1h ago Well that's a toxic workplace she's got there. How did they know she was taking a mental health day?
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  • 16
    Usually when I take sick leave I just say I'm not feeling well I need to take sick leave today and that's it.
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  • 17
    Dunwich_Horror_ .38m ago When you call out sick NEVER say why. Especially mental health. "Boss. I'm not coming in today. I will be taking pto/sick leave to cover my absence." That is all you need to say. If they ask why, you do not need to answer.
    via Disastrous_Bench_763
  • 18
    flora-lai 34m ago . Say you're sick, dont provide details.
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  • 19
    Chibi0204 · 38m ago • No no no no no listen to me, a mental issue can escalate to some destructive level to your physical conditions. Just don't give a f*k about how they think, especially when they don't give you any rise or compliment or thanks
    via Disastrous_Bench_763

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boss workplace-stories employee work stories toxic-workplace job work toxic-boss human resources overworked-employees Horrible Bosses Tech bad bosses company toxic-work-environment
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