Boss fires single mother of 2 after coworker points out that she leaves 2.5 hours early each day: 'He called both of us into his office and said one of us would have to go'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 26, 2026 11:00 AM EST

Parents are expected to work full-time jobs, but as every Mom and Dad knows, raising the kids is a full-time job in itself. 

Quite the impossible choice, isn't it? 

Bosses always expect their workers to deliver pristine results. Nevermind if they're having an off day, not feeling 100%, or have a child who needs their attention. Kids need constant attention, and that doesn't just stop when Mom and Dad head into the office. Just think about all the times you called your parents while they were at work to ask them important questions like, "Can I watch TV?" or "Can I eat some chicken nuggets from the freezer?" And that's not even accounting for the times your child actually needs you — every parent groans aloud when they see that the school's nurse has left them a voicemail. 

Advertisement
  • Worker holds daughter's hand and a laptop while walking into her workplace.
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Worker holds daughter's hand and a laptop while walking into her workplace.

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

  • This person shared their tale of what happened when the boss had to choose between 2 employees

    **In my job, my coworker Laura always leaves at exactly 4:00 PM 66 with the excuse "I have to pick up my kids from school."
    via @asjustinX
  • Since I'm single and have no children, I'm the one who has to stay until 6:30 PM covering her pending tasks so clients don't complain.
    via @asjustinX

    Right off the bat, this is a real choice, isn't it? Your bosses don't have to necessarily know anything about your life choices. All you really have to do is clock in, work with a smile all day, then clock out. You can chat with coworkers about current events or things of that nature, but you never have to tell them about your family or your social calendar. 

    Of course, that wouldn't stop a crafty boss or a conniving coworker from trying to get more work out of you for free. That's exactly the pressure that this person bent to at their workplace, because staying an extra 90 minutes every day is way too high an expectation for one employee. 

  • Little girl plays with colorful blocks while her Mom works in the background.
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Little girl plays with colorful blocks while her Mom works in the background. 

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

  • Yesterday, the boss announced layoffs due to the economy.
    via @asjustinX
  • He called both of us into his office and said one of us would have to go.
    via @asjustinX
  • Laura started crying, saying she's a single mother and has two mouths to feed.
    via @asjustinX
  • I pulled out my record of unpaid overtime hours covering her shifts and told the boss:
    via @asjustinX

    Why would unpaid overtime sway the boss? He could easily just claim that this person is salaried and must do that work anyway. Still, I suppose that's a good defense if you have to choose between losing your income or keeping your job. 

  • "I produce double, she's using you as free daycare at my expense." They fired Laura.
    via @asjustinX
  • Now the whole department hates me for putting a single mother out on the street.
    via @asjustinX
  • I say my free time and my salary are worth exactly the same as hers.
    via @asjustinX

  • People had an array of different takes, with some feeling sympathy towards this Mom

    WorkingMammaEC @giulabacigalupo Staying more hours doesn't make you more productive. Maybe Laura gets more done in the time she's there than you do. Everything is relative.
    via @asjustinX

  • Being a single parent seems impossibly difficult

    Ceci Gate @cecimosquera The circumstances that led me to become a single mother are my problem, my kids shouldn't be an excuse to overload a coworker. If it happens once or twice, fine, but every single day? No way, my dearrrrrr.
    via @asjustinX

    You're expected to give 100% to your child, while also giving 100% to work — oh, and don't forget about everything else in life, like family, friends, chores, hobbies, and appointments.

  • DianaB. @DianaBayona2 How is the workday? Because if it ends at 4, she isn't using her kids as an "excuse to leave," her work schedule simply ended, and you are the
    via @asjustinX
  • one who DOESN'T set boundaries with the company regarding this. If the end time is 6 pm, then clearly, she should have left.
    via @asjustinX
  • HENRY VILLANUEVA @yotampocovoy The world hates single people, because they are comparatively way too happy.
    via @asjustinX
  • Your mistake was not saying that you had 3 women and 5 children to support. Singleness is a treasure far too precious for others to witness.
    via @asjustinX
  • Worker sits in office with her smiling daughter, who holds a paper.
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Worker sits in office with her smiling daughter, who holds a paper. 

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

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

getting fired workplace single mom
Scroll Down For The Next Article