'I'm done with mediocre, lazy...': Indian boss's 10pm text to staffer is viral. 'Don't respond,' say netizens

A screenshot of the WhatsApp message showed that the manager had texted at 10.18pm. (AI-generated image)

A Reddit post showing an Indian boss sending a curt message to an employee at 10pm has gone viral, sparking a heated debate on workplace boundaries and toxic leadership. The post, shared on r/antiwork, drew several reactions from users who criticised the manager’s tone and timing.

Titled "Is this tone okay from a boss? Would you reply or just absorb it?,' the post contained a screenshot of a WhatsApp message. It showed the manager allegedly blaming the employee for not meeting expectations and implying incompetence.

"Sorry to be doing this on a group chat at 10 pm," it stated. "Let me spell this out. I am done with mediocre, lazy, half baked work… this is not sustainable & not acceptable, and honestly it’s ridiculous that I’m even typing this while hunting down references for a Bollywood fucking theme...(sic)"

The manager also asked the employee to take ownership of their work. "If anyone here feels this pace or expectation isn’t for them, that’s absolutely fine. No drama, no hard feelings… But take ownership. Because whatever this is right now… sucks… let’s tighten up and get back to the standard we’re actually capable of. Or prove me right by continuing the same recycled, repackaged bullshit. Either way, at least meet me halfway…"

Netizens highlight 'unprofessional attitude'

The tone of the message and its timing — well beyond standard work hours — triggered widespread backlash. Redditors were quick to condemn the behavior, urging the employee to stand firm. “Take away his power by not replying, acknowledging,” one user wrote. “If he asks if you’ve seen the message or why you didn’t respond, tell him sternly that you won’t tolerate unprofessional attitude.”

Others advised escalating the matter: “Send it to HR. Millions of jobs are there, screw this guy.” Another comment highlighted poor leadership: “Oh another one of those bosses who won’t describe exactly what they want, be vague AF and then get upset when their vision hasn’t come to light because they couldn’t instruct well enough.”

Several users stressed the importance of boundaries: “Do not dignify that with a response, I REPEAT, do not dignify that with a response. Today, he starts by saying this, tomorrow, he’ll tell you to eff off in front of clients.”

Unrealistic expectations normalised in corporate culture

The viral post has reignited conversations about India’s demanding corporate culture, where late-night texts and unrealistic expectations are often normalised. One user contrasted the boss’s approach with constructive leadership: “Anytime my team doesn’t deliver on a design, I’ve sat with them, if need be till 10 pm because we have a delivery, and not only instructed them on how we meet expectations, but actually taught them actionable steps.”