Sun Mar 16 10:34:49 UTC 2025: ## Indian Company Faces Backlash for Strict No-Holi-Leave Policy

**MUMBAI, INDIA** – An Indian company is facing a storm of online criticism after it refused to grant employees leave for the Holi festival and threatened disciplinary action against those who attended celebrations. The controversy began after an employee, Sahil Sakure, shared a screenshot of a manager’s message on Reddit detailing the company’s stringent policy.

The message declared Holi a “Business Critical Day,” meaning any leave taken would be unpaid and unapproved. The company further enforced a “sandwich salary deduction” policy, penalizing employees who took leave before or after a weekend or holiday. The message also controversially advised employees to “avoid falling sick or having emergencies” on Holi. The company’s policy explicitly stated that employees arriving at work with Holi colours would be barred entry and marked absent.

Sakure’s Reddit post sparked outrage, with many users criticizing the company’s draconian approach. Comments ranged from calling the policy “toxic” and “more like a school than a workplace” to suggesting mass resignation as the only solution. One commenter highlighted the absurdity of the instruction to “avoid emergencies,” while another pointed out the impossibility of controlling illness.

This incident follows a similar controversy last year in Bengaluru, where a video of a man juggling a client meeting with Durga Puja celebrations went viral, highlighting concerns about toxic workplace culture in India. The current situation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding work-life balance and employee well-being in the country. The company’s name has not been released.

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