‘I'm literally not anyone's enemy because I had a baby’: Woman comes back from maternity leave to a sour boomer co-worker harassing her about taking the time off, HR gets involved

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Aug 9, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

Why do boomers want the next generations to suffer just as much as they did?

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  • Taking maternity leave is unfortunately a nerve-wracking time for some. You wonder if things at your workplace will be the same once you return, nervous about your job security after having been away for so long, and wonder if you'll be able to keep yourself financially afloat what with all the appointments, household necessities, and extras for the incoming baby. Luckily, extensive maternal leave benefits are only becoming more common all around the world, with governments guaranteeing that no pregnancy will be cause for termination, financial hardship, and harassment. There are those few people who are very upset that newer generations don't have nearly as much hardship to endure, and today we have a woman-to-woman feud concerning maternity leave.

    The woman in this story took the maximum amount of maternity leave offered by her state and workplace and was receiving money from state disability during the time of birth re-cooperation and maternal bonding (total 18 weeks). Once the woman returns to work, a fellow female co-worker asks her what benefits she received and if the woman has gotten paid for it. After the woman explains her circumstances, her co-worker goes on a tirade about how she shouldn't have to pay for other woman's maternity leave, especially if they are going to sit on their behinds “all day doing nothing”. Then, she decides to blame the government. After consistent pestering, the woman made HR aware of the situation. Who do you think gets reprimanded? Scroll to find out and get the details and opinions of others below.

  • 01
    Harassed for taking maternity leave by a boomer coworker
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 02
    I get along well with everybody at work and treat my colleagues with respect. However, last night, I was just minding my own business at my desk and one of my colleagues started asking me about what type of benefits I was able to take while out on maternity leave. I just came back from having a baby in February. I took the
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 03
    maximum benefits that my state allows. I live in New Jersey, so we have pretty good benefits. I took 6 weeks for the birth of my child + 12 weeks on bonding. This woman always asks me what benefits I received and if I got paid for it. I answer her that it was state
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 04
    disability that paid me and then she proceeded to tell me that she shouldn't have to pay for me to "sit at home and do nothing" while she works because she's 64 years old and she wasn't able to get those same benefits when she had children 20 years ago. I told her that is unfortunate, but times are different now and new laws have been implemented for new parents.
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 05
    She then started getting political with me telling me how the government shouldn't pay for people to sit at home blah blah blah, and I kept on walking away and coming back and not talking to her and then she was
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 06
    opening up the conversation again and again. I was getting really I off. I told her that I didn't sit at home and do nothing while I was caring for my newborn child. I'm literally not her or anyone's enemy because I had a baby.
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 07
    This woman works part time at my job (I'm full-time) and her husband makes a lot of money. She always brags about the things that they have and how much money she gives her two grown children. I was so disgusted with the way she was talking to me yesterday that I ultimately walked away and
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 08
    went to another desk somewhere else in the room until her shift was over. I'm contemplating going to HR about this because she has picked on me during my actual pregnancy for being able to take leave. I really don't like
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 09
    being targeted for that reason. On the other hand, I don't want to cause more drama, but I really feel disrespected. It's been less than 24 hours since this incident so I'm waiting to cool off. What do you guys think?
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 10
    Update: Just met with my director and supervisor and they immediately gave me the HR direct contact. They took notes and said they will be speaking with her. My director started the meeting with a fact like then ended with her face like
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 11
    No-Entertainer-1358. 22 hr. ago Make a harassment complaint. Make a list of each incident. Be as clear and concise as you can. There will not be a paper trail so your memory must be convincing
    via No-Entertainer-1358
  • 12
    Pharmgrl7777 OP. 22 hr. ago I did have witnesses
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 13
    content_great_gramma 21 hr. ago Point out that she is creating a hostile work environment. No one who goes on any type of leave does not deserve this kind of treatment.
    via content_great_gramma
  • 14
    OMVince 18 hr. ago • Pregnancy is covered as protected class in New Jersey - this is absolutely harassment and so inappropriate. Also, YOU and your employer pay into state disability for your coverage just like everybody else. How does she figure she's covering your benefit? She's just as likely to use up her own contribution some way or another.
    via OMVince
  • 15
    Bawonga 22 hr. ago • Questions for your coworker: "Would you deny these benefits to your daughter or granddaughter just because YOU didn't have them when you gave birth 20 years ago?"
    via Bawonga
  • 16
    "Are you saying you disagree with child development specialists who advocate longer bonding periods between parent and child?" "Do you support progress in human rights and employment benefits?" "Are you really the that you seem to be?"
    via Bawonga
  • 17
    • Pharmgrl7777 OP 22 hr. ago I love this! I did mention to her since she does have a daughter that wouldn't she want the same thing for her? But she seems to believe that because she has so much money that her daughter wouldn't have to take those benefits because she could just support her while she's on leave. I told her that she'll be supporting her grandchildren as well well then.
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 18
    Range-Shoddy · 22 hr. ago If she has so much money why is she working?
    via Range-Shoddy
  • 19
    Pharmgrl7777 OP .22 hr. ago Great question!!!!!!!!!! I think she needs the job for health insurance for her and her husband, as her husband is self- employed.
    via Pharmgrl7777
  • 20
    Relative_Squash5539 · 20 hr. ago Perfect. Tell her you don't like how old people mooch off young healthy people with insurance. It drives up your cost.
    via Relative_Squash5539
  • 21
    Sitcom_kid 18 hr. ago Will she quit next year when she can have medicare? How dare she have medicare? Are you paying for her medicare? Oh my god! We are working hard to pay for her Medicare while she sits at home and goes to the doctor and hospital and orders prescriptions and stuff! On our dime! It's a travesty!
    via Sitcom_kid
  • 22
    Genericusername368 21 hr. ago I had a similar experience with a childless co worker. It has been years but she came at me because I took 12 weeks and in her mind maternity leave should only be 6. I complained to HR and she was reprimanded.
    via Genericusername368
  • 23
    daywalkerredhead 19 hr. ago • Don't let a toxic jealous person like that get away with her behavior. Go to HR, even if they do nothing, it's on record. In the meantime, if she keeps it up, professionally and politely tell her she should focus on her job more than what she THINKS others are going while off the clock or how they use their benefits.
    via daywalkerredhead
  • 24
    R de_Parsnip306 - 12 hr. ago What a terrible woman! I took every minute of time that I could when I had my kids. I'm happy parents of today get these options. Congratulations on your baby, and definitely go to HR. If not for you, then for the next potential victim of this idiot.
    via Rude_Parsnip306

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