Company Asks Employees To Donate PTO For 10-Year Veteran With Terminally Ill Wife

Here we go. It’s stories like this that really highlight the depths to which corporate culture can sink, sometimes losing the very essence of humanity in the process. Imagine, just for a moment, the absolute audacity of a company that, instead of directly supporting an employee during one of the most heart-wrenching moments of his life, asks OTHER employees to give up their hard-earned PTO (Paid Time Off).

Let’s break this down. An employee has given a DECADE of his life to a company. Ten years of showing up every day, putting in the work, building the brand, meeting deadlines, and no doubt overcoming countless challenges. And now, when he is confronted with the devastating reality of his wife’s impending death, the company’s first thought is not, “How can we best support him?” but rather, “How can we make others bear the cost?”

Yes, I understand the notion of camaraderie and that many colleagues might genuinely want to support their coworkers. But why does the onus fall on them? Why is the company’s initial response to pass the proverbial hat around to other employees instead of digging into its metaphorical pockets?

Is this common practice? Sadly, in some places, yes. But the frequency of such practices doesn’t make it any less appalling. In many cultures worldwide, employers have a duty of care to their employees. And indeed, part of that duty should extend to supporting staff during their most vulnerable moments, not making them feel like a burden.

It’s not just about PTO. It’s about the more significant, underlying message: Companies should remember that they are made up of people — human beings with emotions, families, and lives outside of work. It’s high time they started acting like it.

See the full r/AntiWork story for yourself, along with commentary from readers below.