A candid leave email from a Gen Z intern at an AI startup in India has sparked widespread online debate about changing workplace communication norms and generational differences. The intern’s informal email—titled “Going on a trip”—shared by their manager on Reddit’s r/IndianWorkplace, cited feeling “overwhelmed” and “not getting that vibe” as reasons to take leave from July 28 to 30.
The message included mental health awareness references along with an attached train ticket for proof. While many applauded the intern’s honesty and boundary-setting, others criticised the casual tone as inappropriate for workplace correspondence. The incident highlights the evolving challenges traditional Indian workplaces face with a new generation advocating openness and authenticity.
Gen Z’s Refreshing Communication Style: A New Era in Corporate Messaging
Unlike traditional, formal leave requests often characterised by polite but impersonal language, the intern’s email read like a friendly text message, signalling a significant shift in how younger generations view workplace interactions. The intern’s tone was relaxed and conversational, with phrases like “please don’t miss me” and ending with a casual “Will talk soon, bye.”
This approach reflects Gen Z’s broader cultural emphasis on mental health recognition and emotional transparency in professional settings, topics often considered taboo in older corporate norms. The intern’s attachment of a train ticket also denotes a shift towards greater transparency and accountability in communication. The manager’s reaction — expressing shock after two decades in corporate roles — underscores the cultural gap between age cohorts digitally manifesting in work environments.
The Larger Debate: Balancing Professionalism and Mental Well-being in Indian Workplaces
This viral email pins down a critical tension between maintaining professional standards and embracing employee well-being in India’s evolving job market. As Gen Z increasingly joins the workforce, their candid preferences for authenticity, candid mental health discourse, and flexible communication challenge the hierarchical, formal traditions typical of many Indian workplaces.
Technology startups may provide more flexible atmospheres where such expressions are welcomed, but many sectors and corporates remain rigid in expectations, often interpreting informality as disrespect or laxity. Experts suggest this incident opens a necessary dialogue on redefining workplace etiquette to include empathy for mental health without diluting clarity, responsibility, and respect—thus fostering inclusive workplaces adaptable to generational shifts.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This episode is not just about a viral email but a reflection of India’s social and cultural transformations filtering into workspaces. The Logical Indian advocates for workplaces that strike a healthy balance—valuing professionalism while integrating compassion, mental health awareness, and open communication.
Organisations must listen actively to young employees’ needs and cultivate environments encouraging dialogue and understanding across generations, thereby strengthening trust and productivity.
