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

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

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