Overview

• An AI startup manager shared a screenshot of a Gen Z intern’s casually worded leave request on Reddit’s r/IndianWorkplace, where it rapidly gained widespread attention.
• Under the subject ‘Going on a trip’, the intern wrote that they were ‘feeling a bit overwhelmed’ and ‘not getting that vibe right now’ before noting they would be away from July 28 to 30 and attaching their train PNR as proof.
• Supporters praised the blunt tone as a sign of transparency and healthier working environments, with some users attributing it to Gen Z’s economic security and digital-native communication habits.
• Opponents warned that such informality undermines corporate etiquette, asserting that the style is inappropriate for professional correspondence with seniors and colleagues.
• The incident has reignited demands for companies to establish clearer guidelines on workplace communication and to strengthen mental health support for employees.