Woman sent mail about taking a mental health day and her boss' reply is winning the internet

An employee’s health should always take priority over work, and more companies are beginning to recognize the importance of employee well-being. When Madalyn Rose (@madalynrose) decided to take a mental health day, her boss's response was refreshingly supportive. Rose shared her email on X, along with her boss Ben Congleton’s reply—an exemplary display of what compassionate management looks like.

“Hey team, I’m taking today and tomorrow off to focus on my mental health. Hopefully, I should be back next week refreshed and back to 100%,” Rose wrote in her email. In one of her comments, the woman mentioned that she was vocal about her leaves, especially regarding mental health, so her colleagues knew they could practice the same too. “I'm specific to be an example so my team knows that they can feel comfortable taking sick leave for mental health, even if they don't say it,” she wrote. Her boss understood and acknowledged her with a supportive reply.

Instead of ignoring the email or responding casually, Congleton chose to reply with a supportive and encouraging message. He began by thanking Rose for her honesty: “I use it as a reminder of the importance of using sick days for mental health,” he wrote. He added that he is surprised how such an element is left out by most organizations, despite its crucial importance to employees. “You are an example to us all and help cut through the stigma so we can all bring our whole selves to work,” the boss concluded. 

Rose was delighted at the message and support she received from her boss and shared the same encouragement with management and companies. In her caption, she wrote, “When the CEO responds to your out-of-office email about taking sick leave for mental health and reaffirms your decision.” In several threads, Rose stressed and advocated the need to prioritize mental health as much as one would prioritize physical health. She even replied to a comment saying that health is 100% more important than the ability to work. 

Several people applauded her and her boss’s mindset and hoped for organizations to follow the same. @_MsRoboto wrote, “This is great! I once called in to take a mental health day. My boss told me anxiety isn't a real illness and that I needed a doctor's note.” @okkahtleenlise shared her dilemma, “This is awesome, but I get so few sick days I don’t feel I can afford to take them for mental health - even if I’m having a bipolar episode” @angellah sadly said, “I was inspired by your tweet! I took a mental health day on Monday and was fired on Tuesday.” @MattNA12 remarked, “Good on you! Actually, it's a very supportive organization.”