In this scenario, I am a line manager and my boss is a GM. I have a team of staff working under me.

My company recently changed WFH policy from 2 days WFH per week, to 1 day WFH per week.

One of my staff was on MC yesterday due to normal viral fever. Late last night, he asked me if he could WFH today as he wasn't feeling well enough to return to office. Otherwise, he would take MC for today and be home. This staff had already used up the allocated WFH day earlier this week.

I considered his request, and told him that if he really couldn't come to office tomorrow, he can WFH.

Today, I got a proper dressing down from my boss. He formally reprimanded me and gave me a warning.

I reasoned that the reasoned I allowed this was:

1. The alternative is, the staff would take MC again today. This way, they continue getting work done from home.
2. Staff has been with us 2+ years and has no disciplinary issues with leaves / MCs prior to this.
3. As a line manager, I should have some discretion in giving my team members minor allowances within reason.
4. Younger people this days will appreciate a certain amount of flexibility being afforded to them by their superiors.

My boss reasoning:

1. HR Policy is clear WFH is only one day a week and doesn't mention that superiors can offer more on their discretion.
2. How will he manage if staff from other teams who complaint to him about this.

He says this should never happen again and if it does he will escalate to HR.

Can I have thoughts from forumers here? Am I really in the wrong? Can HR take action against me for something like this?

I suspect my boss might have issue with HR that I am not aware of, so he is afraid that HR might take action against him. Neither me nor anyone from my team has any HR issues.

This post has been edited by contestchris: Aug 16 2024, 07:17 PM

How big your company? MNC got their red tape to follow; SME depends la

Just defer all these leave things to your HR. No headache.

MNC level. What do you mean defer to HR? I should not grant my staff some latitude?

I mean all these grey area kind of leave just let them ask HR.

Not saying you shouldn't, in fact I applaud you for doing so. Just MNC quite rigid in these things. Most likely your boss just covering his ass

in my opinion, if he is not feeling well, better take MC. otherwise he will not do the work at his best.

For MNC, depends on 2 factors.

1. Company culture. Is there 'team building' culture or 'treat workers like slaves' culture?

2. Your immediate boss. Is boss flexible or follow everything by the book.

You should know the answer and should act accordingly

Not feeling should just take MC.

In bigger MNC, it can be quite rigid unless you are given the authority to allow extra WFH.

It is just how it works. Also, if your boss is cincai then ok but if he follows the book it isnt wrong either.

Really sorry. System is merciless. If all use the same reasoning, then whole company system will collapse. Next time just take the MC and no need to work.

This is quite simple... why you overthink it?

Since your direct manager/GM is so sticky with this, just follow instruction. He already said he gave you a pass already on this case.

move on... next time anyone got any problem, just tell your staff to take MC or come to office. end of story. why jeopardize your own rice bowl?

How good is your relationship with ur GM?

What is says is true if HR policy doesn't mention means u should consult ur GM 1st.

My place also has ppl asking for WFH once a while, yes we do gossip but as long their superior approves then we can only envu, also our HR policy does mention need superior's consent.

Next time just ask ur staff to go get another MC and rest. Otherwise consult ur GM.

Policy says one day then one day la. However I do agree we have to have empathy and cannot be too rigid. If you don’t have the authority to make decisions mayb next time ask the staff member to get dispensation from HR. If HR says ok then ok la. If HR says cannot then take another MC. Be humble to acknowledge that some decisions are just above your pay grade.

I have seen how some misuses the benefit while it causes disgruntle for rest as tney have followed the book accordingly.

If policy is available, best to follow.

Yes, this is learning for me.

Sometimes, you are not feeling too well, but can still WFH. If go to office, need to get ready, drive, take train etc, sometimes that parts tak larat. In my previous companies, they were flexible these way.

Plus my company culture quite advanced with the times. HR is quite open. Sometimes policies can be rigid but the application can have some leeway.

Thus far my boss didn't make any issue with my management of staff.

Anyways I don't plan to intentionally disobey my boss as there's no point of that whatsoever. Just wanted to get you guys opinion in the overall.

Lesson learned

MNC - follow instruction & company law

- already have strict wfh guideline to follow.
- boss is strict and follows said guideline.
Also your boss lets u off this time. Meaning he wanted u to learn this lesson. Move on and follow your boss/guidelines. Dont take heart.

Rule is rule

I'm actually agree with your boss. Rules are rules. If there is no rule stated that the manager can allow additional day WFH at their discretion, then just follow. In your boss POV, he probably don't want to set precedent to others which might caused more complication in future.

Your staff might be honest, but there always other people who try to take advantage of this precedent and misuse it as loophole to attain WFH. If there are soft-hearted manager, then the possibility their staff might get more additional WFH using same tactic while other manager who are more strict might not allowed their staff to do the same. This situation might caused dissatisfaction among the staffs and complicate the situation that will never exist if the rule is never broken at first place.

This post has been edited by Sagiez: Aug 23 2024, 09:25 AM

Your GM so free to micromanage ka?

All these can be negotiated.
But if a decision is made, just need to comply with it.
if not, termination... that's how the law works.

seems like your company has a rigid culture. Not all MNC the same.
But since it is your company rule is such, or at the very least, your manager is by-the-book kind of person, then have to follow or you find another company which is more flexible in resource management whether to be in office or home.