Pregnant employee goes into labor at the office but her boss forces her to stay 2 more hours to attend an ‘important’ work meeting: ‘He implied that I was using my pregnancy as an excuse to get out of work’

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 18, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

There's a long list of inappropriate workplace behavior that makes your boss seem more punchable than usual. While we groan and gripe at the constant mention of 'company culture' and 'record profits', at least some CEOs are benign enough to ignore on a regular basis. But while there are a handful of untroublesome employers, there are also a few bosses out there still clinging to cringey, outdated behavior that has no place in the office in 2024. 

In an attempt to force their employees to prove their loyalty to the company, toxic bosses will push their workers to the limit.

The Redditor shared her toxic boss story online, recounting a traumatizing tale that makes us all glad for our polo-wearing, 'casual Friday'-loving bosses who fade easily into the background. With her pregnancy well-along and her due date approaching, this employee was starting to feel the pregnancy pains of her approaching maternity leave. Her boss was eyeing her in the office, monitoring her every move, and making her feel guilty for missing a single moment in the office. But things came to a head when she came into her final trimester…

After a Braxton Hicks-induced emergency run to the hospital, the pregnant employee returned to the office with her tail between her legs. Afterward, her boss publicly shamed her 'lack of commitment' to the team for leaving work early. As if his douchebaggery couldn't get any worse, a week later she had contractions again–more intense this time–and she knew that she was going into labor. Although she begged her boss to let her leave early, he insisted she stay another 2 hours to avoid missing an 'important' meeting. 

The baby was born later that evening. 

Keep scrolling for all of the details of this completely inappropriate display of toxic boss behavior and a woman who immediately threatened his career with a report to HR. 

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  • 01
    My boss, "John" (45M), made sarcastic comments about me being overly dramatic and joked about how I should "schedule" my labor around important meetings.
    via canva
  • 02
    AITA for reporting my boss after he forced me to attend a meeting despite knowing I was in labor? I (28F) have been working at my company for five years, and until recently, I loved my job. I was eight
    via IllSituation6855
  • 03
    months pregnant when this happened (about a month ago) so I started having contractions while at work. Since I was not due yet, I thought it was just Braxton Hicks because they weren't that intense. Just a week before that, I had
    via IllSituation6855
  • 04
    experienced Braxton Hicks and went to the hospital, but it was a false alarm. This time, I was still working when the contractions started in the morning, and I again thought it was Braxton Hicks. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I tried to keep working. Last time I
    via IllSituation6855
  • 05
    went to the hospital, my boss, "John" (45M), made sarcastic comments about me being overly dramatic and joked about how I should "schedule" my labor around important meetings. I have social anxiety and tend to take people's without pushing back, so I just took it.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 06
    By noon, the contractions were getting stronger and closer together, and I knew it was real labor. I needed to go to the hospital. I informed John that I was in labor and needed to leave. He rolled his eyes and said, "Just stay for the meeting at 1 PM. It's crucial, and we need you there."
    via IllSituation6855
  • 07
    I was stunned. I reiterated that I was in active labor and needed to go to the hospital immediately. John snapped back, "It's just a meeting. Sit through it, and then you can go. It's not like the baby is going to pop out right now." Feeling pressured and scared for my job, I reluctantly stayed.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 08
    The meeting lasted an excruciating two hours. By the end of it, I was in so much pain that I could barely walk. I finally left and drove myself to the hospital, where I was admitted immediately. My husband reached
    via IllSituation6855
  • 09
    30-40 minutes later because he was on the other side of town for a meeting. My daughter was born later that evening, thankfully healthy despite the delay. When I told my husband what had happened, he was furious and
    via IllSituation6855
  • 10
    insisted we report John to HR. I was hesitant because I didn't want to jeopardize my job, but I agreed it was the right thing to do. HR was appalled and assured me they would handle the situation. John has since been suspended pending an investigation.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 11
    The real kicker? During the investigation, it came out that John had emailed the entire office while I was in labor, complaining about my "lack of commitment" and making fun of me for "overreacting." He even implied that I was using my pregnancy as an excuse to get out of work.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 12
    Now, my coworkers are at me saying I overreacted and that I should have just sucked it up for the sake of the company. I've even received messages and emails from a few colleagues saying that I've "ruined" John's
    via IllSituation6855
  • 13
    career and that he was just doing his job under pressure. One even said that I should have "toughed it out" like their wife did during her pregnancy. The stress from this whole ordeal
    via IllSituation6855
  • 14
    has made it difficult to enjoy my first few days with my newborn. I'm constantly second-guessing myself and feeling guilty, despite knowing I did what was best for my baby and me.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 15
    To make matters worse, the interim manager who took over from John is even worse. He's made it clear to everyone that he resents my actions and has made my return to work unbearable.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 16
    Now that my maternity leave is over, I find myself isolated at work. People give me side-eyes and whisper about me. During lunch, I'm alone because no one wants to sit with the "troublemaker."
    via IllSituation6855
  • 17
    It feels like high school all over again. I dread going into work each day and facing the hostility and judgment. I never imagined that doing what was right for my health and my baby's well-being would turn my colleagues against me like this. It's gut-wrenching to feel so isolated and vilified for simply standing up for myself and my rights.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 18
    I cry most of the time when I come home and sometimes even in the office washroom when someone passes a comment. In the worst moments, I get mad at my husband and blame him for making me tell HR, even though I
    via IllSituation6855
  • 19
    know he did the right thing. He's so sweet and never takes it to heart. I apologize soon after, but he always says he wasn't even mad and that he understands how I'm feeling, especially since I'm just one month postpartum. He
    via IllSituation6855
  • 20
    says I should take action and complain, but I don't want to make things worse. He's also saying he can't see me like this and that I should just quit because it's hurting him. I don't know what to do; I'm just such a sensitive and emotional person in general and now it's been worse since giving birth.
    via IllSituation6855
  • 21
    AITA for reporting my boss after he forced me to attend a meeting despite knowing I was in labor?
    via IllSituation6855
  • 22
    Position Such1097 .5 hr. ago NTA. Your boss is a complete and utter disgrace. Forcing you to stay during labor is not just unethical, it's potentially criminal. You did the right thing by reporting him. Your
    via PositionSuch1097
  • 23
    health and your baby's health come first. Your coworkers who are siding with him clearly have no empathy or understanding of basic human decency. You deserve to work in an environment where you are respected and treated with dignity, not bullied and coerced into putting your life at risk.
    via PositionSuch1097
  • 24
    Nvnv_man 5 hr. ago . edited 2 hr. ago You need to retain an attorney, immediately. Your attorney needs to file a claim with the DOL on your behalf (you can do this yourself, but be with your baby!)
    via Nvnv_man
  • 25
    you-did-ask 4 hr. ago If someone that's 9 months pregnant is crucial to a business meeting the that's management.
    via you-did-ask
  • 26
    completedett 4 hr. ago NTA NTA NTA but you need proper advice and not from reddit, please contact a lawyer, document everything that has happened since the meeting day including the hostile work environment. Please don't take this lying down, this not your fault at all.
    via completedett
  • 27
    Ginger630 ⚫ 2 hr. ago NTA! Get a lawyer. And I'd find a new job asap! I know that's hard right now, but that is a toxic environment. John and your colleagues are AHs. Save every message you get.
    via Ginger630

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boss worker employee hr manager job toxic labor toxic boss work coworkers working ceo employees supervisor workplace birth story pregnant company coworker business
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