HR rejects WFH request for knee surgery, software developer asks if this is even legal

An Indian software developer tried to apply for work from home due to an upcoming knee surgery. But the techie says that HR rejected his request despite the fact that his role can be performed remotely. He now asks if such a rejection is even legal.An Indian software developer says that his WFH request for a knee surgery was denied by HR. (Representational image made with AI)Indian workplaces can be notorious when it comes to WFH, or work from home. Most companies need employees in the office, unless they have some health reasons. But one Indian software developer says that even when he tried asking for WFH simply because of health concerns, HR simply rejected his request. And now, he wants to know whether HR can even do this legally.On the subreddit IndianWorkplace, the user, who goes by the handle ScleaverZer0ne, wrote that they were set to undergo knee surgery due to an injury. “Following the surgery, I’m expected to have significant difficulty walking for a period of time, and commuting to the office will likely not be feasible during my recovery,” he said.The software developer, who works in Pune, tried asking HR for WFH until he could recover, but his request was denied. “HR has told me that they cannot provide WFH because, according to them, there is no provision for it,” he added. "However, my role can be performed completely from home without any impact on my work." Screenshot of the Reddit post (1/2). Techie says other employees get WFHWhile the HR denied the techie’s request to work from home, he claims that other employees have been allowed to do this in the past. “Some employees in the organisation have previously been allowed to work from home through AVD (Azure Virtual Desktop) access approved by their respective managers,” he wrote. “I have also offered to bear the cost of the AVD license myself if that is the concern.” What makes matters more complicated is that the techie is currently on a notice period, and cannot take medical leave instead. He explained, “Taking leave instead of working from home could potentially delay my relieving date, even though I am otherwise capable of performing my job remotely.”Following this, the developer asked Redditors about the legal aspect of the situation, and whether he could file a complaint on medical grounds. He asked, “If the employer refuses WFH and I am medically unable to commute, what are my legal options? Would taking medical leave be the only option?” Screenshot of the Reddit post. (2/2) The techie was also worried if being on notice period changed his legal rights or the employer's obligations. “I’m not asking for permanent WFH. I’m only requesting temporary WFH for the period during which I am medically unable to commute following the surgery,” he added.Redditors say go to office in a wheelchairUnder the post, many users suggested that the techie could go and make a scene outside the office. One person wrote, “Go to office in wheelchair, it'll hit the nerve.” Some users wanted the techie to make a scene. Another user added, “Go to office in a ambulance/stretcher. Keep a few people friends for help. Reach office and call HR and manager to come pick you up from the entrance.” One user said that the techie should ask his manager for help after reaching the office in an ambulance On a serious note, one user pointed out that WFH was not a legal right for employees. “Answer is, there's no question of legality. WFH isn't a legal right, it's a policy issue. Completely in the organisation's prerogative,” they said. Some told the techie that there was no legal reason for the company to approve WFH. While another person advised the techie to take the harder call, and consider delaying the surgery. They replied, “You'll have to bite the bullet here. Either delay the surgery or take medical leave.”- EndsPublished By: Armaan AgarwalPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 11:24 IST