So I'm a Software Engineer and just became a first‑time dad a few days ago. My baby was a premature who arrived early and had to be admitted to the NICU for respiratory distress. I told my manager about this, but he still called me and assigned tasks even though I was on leave.
The company offers a two‑week paternity leave, and I had informed HR and my manager back in December that I'd take it in April. Still, he keeps pressing me to work and even tried to blackmail me. Last year, when my pregnant wife was hospitalized, he asked me to work till 3 am despite there being no hard dependency on me. I delivered a critical release with zero bugs, saved the business millions, yet my rating was only "Meets Expectations". I felt my work wasn't valued, so I told him that I won't repeat that sacrifice. He threatened me, saying it should have been discussed during the appraisal and that anyone – even a principal engineer – could replace me. This is pure unprofessional behaviour, and it's happening repeatedly at a major global insurance firm's GCC in Hyderabad. Please advise what to do.
Inform HR that this is a clear policy violation.
Talk to HR.
Such companies really exist.
Your family comes first, nothing else matters.
Just ignore him and don't reply. These guys have no real power in big firms. Once you're back, ask for a team change and keep looking for other opportunities. Not worth staying in a team with poor management.
Bhai, first of all, congratulations and take care of your baby – NICU matters come first.
Straight up, your manager is crossing the line. Paternity leave is your right, especially since you gave advance notice. Don't take work calls; keep everything on email or chat as proof. If he keeps pushing, escalate to HR with written records, stay calm and factual.
Companies that behave like this rarely improve. The market is tight and AI is shaking things up, but staying where basic respect is missing isn't worth it. Quietly start looking for new jobs once things settle at home.
If you don't have a year's savings, just keep the evidence and begin the job hunt. That "anyone can replace you" line is a classic pressure tactic – hiring costs lakhs, not a joke.
Best wishes! Feel free to DM me if you need more help planning next steps.
Only two weeks of paternity leave? In Europe they get months!
Take legal action so he regrets his bullying.
The manager is an AH. No matter how much you clean up, he'll keep messing things up.
You seem skilled; he's scared of you. Report this to HR. If nothing happens, start looking for a new job – you'll find one.
Don't work beyond 8 hours. If the company fails, let it. Your manager can handle it, but make sure you log any extra hours – it's a labour‑law violation (when you're back).
While on leave, set an auto‑reply on chat saying you'll be available after a certain date. Don't answer calls or WhatsApp messages.
Relax. The money isn't giving you peace despite your best effort. It's not worth staying unless you want to humiliate him. All the best. Never respond when you're on leave.
Your problem is you keep answering his calls. Stop taking any calls or replying. When you return, tell him the hospital had poor network and you were busy caring for your baby. Set strong boundaries – he clearly doesn't respect personal space or family time.