It is kind of a given that if an employee has a medical or personal emergency related to them or their family then they would be granted a leave by their company. To not do so shows the company in a very poor light morally. This time around, the Tata-owned Vistara airline is facing backlash for rejecting a pilot’s request for leave despite his mother being ill.
Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, a journalist, took to social media to share a screenshot of the email that was sent to the pilot (name edited out) by the company. It was written that they were sorry about his mother’s illness and understood the importance of him being with her during this time. However, they were unable to grant his request for emergency leave.
“We are sorry to hear about your mother’s illness, and understand the importance of being there for her during this time. However, after careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we are unable to grant your request for emergency leave. We would encourage you to explore alternative solutions such as rescheduling the medical check-up appointment or seeking support from family and friends to provide assistance during this time,” the email read.
Bhardwaj called Vistara out and wrote that it was “really disturbing” and that the cancelling of the leave request was “inappropriate”. Have a look at her post here:
This is really disturbing @airvistara
Illness doesn't come with announcements. He's a son only wanting to care for his mother. The reason given by you for cancellation of his leave is inappropriate.
We expect better from TATA GROUP
Also, hope you don't penalise the pilot pic.twitter.com/GkncEYgTq5
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) October 10, 2023
Even though ‘Vistara’ isn’t mentioned anywhere in the email, Economic Times aviation editor Tarun Shukla confirmed the airline in question is, in fact, Vistara, reported Moneycontrol.
Several people online slammed Vistara for their insensitivity and expressed that it was inhumane of the company to not grant the pilot leave, despite his mother being ill. Here’s a look at some of the responses:
Leave should not be denied when required as long as it is within limits of the employee. Work can always wait. All companies always build redundancies. We work to live and not the other way round.
— Brijesh Gajaria (@brijeshlg) October 10, 2023
No company no matter how much they show from outside, care about the employees
— fan (@accharjee) October 10, 2023
Where it is Tata or a Jhata, they are after all an Indian company who possess cheap mindset when it comes to employee welfare.
— Austin Stevens (@AUSTINS41901555) October 10, 2023
It’s a disgrace to indian society where humanity is no more with indian companies.
— Abhishek (@abhishekmeh2006) October 10, 2023
I had a manager who gave me the exact same response. I laughed on her face and then applied leaves and also sent a letter to HR. I got my leaves of course. That manager worked for another couple of months and then resigned. These are the most pathetic kind of people.
— Sinnerman (@person_of_) October 10, 2023
Reason why I wouldn’t go with Vistara or Indigo or Spicejet or any other airlines.
Shameful and disgusting behaviour.— HhH (@NL730E71) October 10, 2023
It is truly disheartening to see how some companies couldn’t care less about their employees’ needs.