Gen Z employee shocked CEO with unique leave request that broke the internet

In today’s changing work culture, where discussions around mental health and emotional well-being are becoming more open, one honest email from a young employee has struck a chord across social media.

The straightforward leave request, shared by a Gurgaon-based CEO, has gone viral– not because of what was asked, but because of how it was said.The story was shared by Jasveer Singh, co-founder and CEO of Knot Dating, who posted a screenshot of the leave application on X (formerly Twitter), calling it the “most honest” one he has received so far. With the caption “Gen Z doesn’t do filters,” Singh summed up what many are calling a refreshing example of unfiltered communication at work.The leave request that won everyone’s attentionThe employee’s message was simple, personal, and completely transparent. It read: “I recently went through a breakup and haven’t been able to focus on work. I’m working from home today, but I’d like to take leave from the 28th to the 8th to take a short break.”Instead of the usual formal tone that comes with corporate emails, the note reflected genuine emotion– something that resonated with many online. When someone asked Singh if he had approved the leave, his response was just as straightforward: “Leave approved, instantly.”

The candidness of the employee and the empathy of the CEO quickly drew praise from people who saw the post as a sign of how workplace attitudes are evolving.Social media reacts to the viral postSoon after Singh shared the post, it started circulating widely on social media. Users applauded the employee’s honesty and the CEO’s supportive attitude, seeing it as a positive shift toward normalising emotional transparency at work.

One user commented, “This is perfectly okay. Better yet, don’t explain what it’s for at all.”Another added humorously, “There are people who don’t even take that many leaves for their marriage,” to which Singh replied, “But I think breakups require more leave than marriage.”The light-hearted exchange received widespread appreciation, with many saying that such open conversations show how younger professionals view work-life balance differently– valuing mental health as much as productivity.Reflecting a broader shift in work cultureWhile the viral post amused many, it also highlighted a deeper change in modern workplaces.

The new generation of employees is redefining what it means to be “professional,” showing that honesty and vulnerability can coexist with responsibility.By choosing to approve the request without hesitation, Singh’s response stood as an example of empathy-led leadership– one that recognises people as humans first, employees second.In a world where workplace burnout and emotional strain are often overlooked, a simple act of honesty– and an understanding response– has sparked a much-needed reminder: sometimes, being real is the best policy.Disclaimer: The Times of India has not independently verified the authenticity of the social media post. The article is based on user reactions and publicly available information shared online.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)