'No sick days, no exceptions': Company imposes leave blackout on vacation period. Viral

The notice at the unnamed company, likely from US. (Image: Goodn00dl3/Reddit)

A Reddit post highlighting an unnamed company’s strict no-leave policy during the holiday season has gone viral, sparking outrage over workplace exploitation. Shared in the popular r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, the post shows a photo of a notice stating, “From November 25th, until December 31st, there is a blackout on vacation days, time off, and there will be no exceptions for calling off, taking sick days… we will need all hands-on deck.”

The poster sarcastically captioned their frustration, saying, “Why does corporate think this is ok? God forbid I get sick. Company doesn’t give a s--t.”

The company remains unnamed, but the policy, which effectively bans all forms of absence during holidays, their 'busiest period', drew heated responses from fellow Redditors.

Comments ranged from satirical to scathing. One user quipped, “If you die, you have to inform management 3 days prior,” while another added, “Christmas is for everyone, but employees.”

Others drew parallels to exploitative work cultures globally. One commenter shared, “I know a guy who owns a company and they don't let anyone off during the summer. The staff are overworked, underpaid… then he complains that ‘nobody wants to work.’”

Why does corporate think this is ok?
byu/Goodn00dl3 inmildlyinfuriating

This post reflects a growing online conversation about poor workplace conditions, particularly in industries where employees face burnout due to rigid attendance policies. During peak seasons like the holidays, many companies prioritise profits over employee well-being, leaving workers little room for rest or emergencies.

The incident also highlights the discontent among employees who feel their contributions are undervalued. “Would be great if all of you suddenly sick on those days,” another user commented, suggesting collective action as a potential response to corporate overreach.