Employee fakes pregnancy to get 3 weeks of PTO after using up their annual vacation alotment; gets away with it: 'She photoshopped a sonogram'

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Jul 12, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

The only way to afford the PTO for a decent vacation is by digging deep into your own morally-grey pocket. Many of you would do anything for a little extra PTO. After a long, hard week in the workplace, a vacation starts to seem like the only antidote for a poisonous job and a collection of mean coworkers. Even with dreams of white sand, turquoise beaches, and an all-inclusive swim-up bar dancing in your head, there is still a limit to what we'd do for a trip. "Would I do anything for a vacation?" you wonder.

But there's a line in the sand of common decency that mustn't be crossed, even for the sake of a well-deserved vacay.

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  • However, for some, the desperate and the morally grey, ethics hardly matter when it comes to PTO. This woman has only endured 6 months of 2025 but has already spent her annual PTO, and in a shocking turn of events, she spilled the beans on the immoral lengths that she was willing to go to get a few more days off—even if it meant disrespecting everyone in the office with a diabolical lie.

  • Cheezburger Image 10528732928
    via AzmanL

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Overheard on the train, "I faked my own pregnancy... for the PTO" I was sitting on a packed commuter train when I overheard two coworkers talking behind me.
    via EmoteFlora
  • One of them goes: "Okay don't judge me, but I told HR I'm pregnant." Her friend: "YOU'RE NOT." She whispers: "I know. But I needed three weeks off, and I already used my vacation days on a situationship in Miami."
    via EmoteFlora
  • I turned my whole head. She said she photoshopped a sonogram, scheduled "doctor appointments," and even made a baby name list in case anyone got suspicious. "The key is to talk about it like you're annoyed, not excited. That way no one asks to see pictures."
    via EmoteFlora
  • "I'll say I had a m scarriage next month. Then I'll rebrand. Maybe go back to school."
    via EmoteFlora
  • Bkbnow. Years ago a girl at my then job faked a car accident. Said she broke both legs. Would be out for months. Company was sending her flowers weekly etc. after three months she quit
    via Bkbnow
  • MNConcerto ⚫ As the HR person who manages leaves, I don't doubt it but to get paid leave she's going to need documentation from a doctor, not just a photoshopped sonogram or medical report.
    via MNConcerto
  • Enough-Ad-3111. 6d ago Oh man, that would make my bl__d BOIL! This is quite a proverbial slap in the face to all of you that actually went through a m scarriage and I am so sorry for it.
    via Enough-Ad-3111
  • Firenze42. I had a coworker who told HR she was "trying to get pregnant," so she didn't have to work in the laboratory anymore. We pulled people from the lab when they were pregnant to ensure there was zero exposure and gave
    via Firenze42
  • them paperwork. She was able to "try" for 3 years before someone finally called BS as her husband also worked for the company and didn't want kids. I still don't know how she convinced HR to let her do paperwork before she was pregnant.
    via Firenze42
  • Rich-Canary1279. People like this...I can't even fathom people are so unethical sometimes, even though I know they are. Don't judge me she says!!
    via Rich-Canary1279
  • Immediate-Echidna-17 I worked with someone who did this. Parading around with her "6 week scan," telling everyone she's having twins. We found it on Google images, dated 2013. She claimed her partner faked the images & didn't tell her but "I really am pregnant!" K, babe. Whatever you say. Needless to say, she didn't require maternity leave.
    via Immediate-Echidna-17
  • iscreamforicecream90. This just doesn't make sense. I've been pregnant twice, in two different states with two different doctors. You need your doctor to sign a form for you. And that's not something you can fake.
    via iscreamforicecream90
  • Adanma369 Doesn't sound believable. The only thing the company wants to see is documentation from your doctor. You're not eligible for any type of leave unless you have documented medical problems due to pregnancy or you're within a month of your delivery date.
    via Adanma369
  • Administrative_Elk66 This is already bonkers, but talking about it on a COMMUTER TRANSIT where your coworkers are likely to hear you. Such a dumb idea. Aaaghh
    via Administrative_Elk66
  • jennalynne1 • I worked with a guy who told everyone his child's mother had passed and missed a bunch of time. Found out later that was a lie.
    via jennalynne1
  • Thin_Crow_2729. I had a former colleague that did this. Twice. She was arrested and the story ran on local AND national news. Have fun!
    via Thin_Crow_2729

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