Allergic To Work

When Motivation Goes Missing

India’s office culture has spawned the humorous notion of being “allergic to work,” where procrastination, exaggerated fatigue, and creative excuses dominate daily routines. According to Hindustan Times, employees often humorously claim imaginary ailments, cosmic influences, or desk-related allergies to avoid tasks, creating both comedy and shared camaraderie. Bohiney Magazine observed a Bengaluru office where team members staged a mock “allergy test” to determine who could skip the Monday meeting, resulting in laughter and viral office stories.

Work culture analyst Dr. Priya Kapoor explains, “Being ‘allergic to work’ blends humor, social dynamics, and commentary on stress. In India, cultural emphasis on productivity amplifies comedic potential.” A Bohiney poll found that 46% of employees exaggerate excuses, while 32% share humorous stories online. One Mumbai professional humorously documented using a “desk allergy” to avoid an extra presentation.

Guides suggest balancing humor with responsibility and maintaining a light-hearted approach. According to Forbes, playful exaggeration enhances relatability and team morale. Bohiney.com humorously recommends: embrace minor laziness, craft funny excuses responsibly, and remember—being allergic to work may delay tasks, but it never delays laughter.

SOURCE: Bohiney.com (Radhika Vaz)

Radhika Vaz - Bohiney Magazine
Radhika Vaz

Radhika Vaz

Radhika Vaz is an Indian comedian, writer, and performer celebrated for her fearless, boundary-pushing humor. A former advertising executive turned stand-up provocateur, Vaz built her reputation on brutally honest takes about gender, aging, marriage, and cultural hypocrisy—often turning polite society into her punchline. Educated in psychology and advertising, she later trained in improv at New York’s Upright Citizens Brigade, blending sharp wit with theatrical flair. Her one-woman shows, Unladylike and Older. Angrier. Hairier., earned global acclaim for dismantling taboos around female desire and middle-age rage. Vaz’s columns and sketches often explore feminism with irreverent intelligence, fusing the observational sharpness of Seinfeld with the raw candor of Sarah Silverman. Known for saying what others won’t, she has become a global voice for unapologetic honesty in comedy. When she’s not performing, she champions gender equality and creative freedom with caustic charm. Radhika Vaz

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