Employee's Leave Canceled Over FIFA World Cup Attendance Scrutiny

FIFA World Cup's Impact on Work Life

For football fans in India, the FIFA World Cup 2026 was not just an opportunity to cheer for their favorite teams; it also meant sacrificing sleep, as many matches aired late into the night. While countless fans stayed awake to witness the excitement, one individual reportedly faced a more significant consequence.

A post on Reddit detailing an employee's pre-approved leave being revoked after his manager linked his attendance to the FIFA World Cup has gained traction, sparking conversations about workplace monitoring, trust issues, and leave policies.

The post, shared by someone claiming to be a former colleague of the employee, describes how the football fan's attendance came under scrutiny after he began taking more frequent leaves and arriving late to work during the tournament.

Attendance Under Scrutiny

According to the Reddit user, the employee had taken an unusual amount of leave in the past month. After receiving a warning from his manager about his absences, he reportedly ceased requesting leave but continued to arrive late. When questioned, he attributed his tardiness to heavy traffic.

The situation took a surprising turn when another manager, who was reportedly a friend of the employee, jokingly suggested that his late arrivals were likely due to staying up late for FIFA World Cup matches. This comment led the manager to compare the employee's attendance records with the tournament schedule.

Manager's Findings

According to the post, the manager later summoned the employee for a meeting to discuss his findings. The employee denied the allegations, insisting that traffic was the cause of his lateness. However, the manager pointed out that many of his leave days and late arrivals coincided with significant matches featuring teams like France, Portugal, and Argentina.

The manager presented evidence showing that most of the employee's absences and late arrivals aligned with these FIFA matches, indicating he had done his homework.

Final Warning and Leave Cancellation

The employee was reportedly given a final warning and told not to take any more leave. However, he had already submitted a leave request nearly a month in advance for the Monday following the World Cup final, citing a family event.

The situation escalated when the manager saw a viral Instagram reel of a school principal declaring a holiday for students to watch the World Cup final. Following this, the manager allegedly informed the employee that his previously approved leave was canceled.

When the employee insisted he had a legitimate family function to attend, the manager requested proof, such as train tickets or an invitation card. According to the post, he was unable to provide either.

The manager reportedly sent the link to the reel to the employee, stating, 'Bewakoof kisi aur ko banana' (Make someone else a fool).

Employee's Uncertain Future

The post concludes with the employee being instructed to report to work at 9 a.m. on Monday.

It ends with the statement, 'For now he has been strictly instructed to report on Monday sharp at 9 am and he doesn’t know what to do,' adding, 'All thanks to Thomas Public School.'