Company Replaces Employee With Coworker She Trained When She Takes Maternity Leave, Give Counter Offer When She Gets New Job

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 5, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Having a baby shouldn't put you out of a job.

It is no secret that women who want to succeed in the workforce but also want to be moms have it tough. Juggling the demands of a job and kids at the same time is hard, and starting the whole process by having a baby is arguably the most difficult part. They have no choice but to be out of action for a while, and more importantly, that is likely to be where they want to be. Their bosses may say otherwise, though.

The problem with being away from work is that it is very easy for things to change in your absence. Every employee is replaceable, and a company may be swiftly reminded of that when someone takes maternity leave. At the end of their day, their interests triumph over those of the employee. This is an issue that can leave already vulnerable new moms feeling like they can't catch a break. When employers do not support their workers who choose to start families, these workers can spend years of their career trying to get back to where they were before, while also dealing with the duty of being a parent.

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  • 01
    An employee works from home with a baby on her lap, talking on the phone, and holding a half-eaten banana
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    An employee works from home with a baby on her lap, talking on the phone, and holding a half-eaten banana

  • A woman trained a coworker to cover her role before she went on maternity leave, and she was happy to be able to get back to work. However, that excitement soon faded when her manager told her that the person who had been covering her job would be taking it over permanently. 

    She decided to look around for other work, and she got an offer from another company. In response, management at her current job matched her new salary offer and claimed that they wanted her to stay. She was left at a crossroads, wondering if she should stay or go.

  • 02

    Came back from maternity leave. They gave my role to someone else.

    I was on maternity leave for a few months, and I was actually excited to come back to work. Before I left, i trained the person who would be covering my work.
    via mariyagel
  • 03
    When I returned this week, my manager told me that the person who filled in for me would be keeping my old role and said it was "best for the business," but it was really hard to hear for me. I had worked hard before my leave, and I expected to come back to the same role.
    via mariyagel
  • 04
    Now today I got a job offer from another company. When I told my manager I was thinking about leaving, they matched the salary right away and asked me to stay.
    via mariyagel
  • 05
    The thing is, I'm not sure this is really about money anymore. If they valued my role enough to match the offer now, why wasn't I treated the same when I came back? Right now, I'm leaning toward taking the new job, but it's still a difficult decision.
    via mariyagel
  • 06
    give me your opinions am i doing right or not?
    via mariyagel
  • 07
    An employee works from home and takes a call, with a baby playing in the background
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    An employee works from home and takes a call, with a baby playing in the background

  • 08
    Glittering Texas Something very similar happened to me. Do not take the counter offer. The company uses situations like this to get around the laws regarding job protection for new moms. They are setting you up to fail. Just take the new job.
    via Glittering_Texas
  • 09
    Nomivought2015 You were already applying before you returned to work, I would say make sure you work enough days so you don't need to repay healthcare premiums then accept the new offer. You'd also be losing your PFLA if you have any
    via Nomivought2015
  • 10
    naughtabot Ok but you don't really tell us what the new role they have for you is. Is it new and exciting, is it a de facto downgrade or demotion? Your ick feeling is most likely what you should listen to.
    via naughtabot
  • 11
    If this happened to me or a colleague, the minimum I would accept here is 'Look at this new role we carved out for you that we think you will love and offers new challenges etc...'
    via naughtabot
  • 12
    Otherwise I comes off as 'We replaced her while she was out and we kinda hope she quits nicely so we can avoid a discrimination / constructive termination complaint...' Even matching salary isn't necessarily them excited to keep you, so frankly if the new job looks good take it.
    via naughtabot
  • 13
    Xylus 1985 Always go for the new job if they just matched it
    via Xylus1985
  • 14
    gamezrodolfo 77 You already showed your hand to your employer and you need to follow through. Seems like it's the best decision anyway
    via gamezrodolfo77
  • 15
    Reckless42 Never accept an offer match. You've done the work to find another job. Take it.
    via Reckless42
  • 16
    Fjolsvid_Fjolsvin Businesses make business decisions and employees should too. If your old role was 'best for the business' to give away then taking a better opportunity is also what's best for your career. No hard feelings.
    via Fjolsvid_Fjolsvin
  • 17
    Express-Warning9714 Never accept the offer to stay. When cuts come, you'll be the first to go.
    via Express-Warning9714
  • 18
    Icy-Kiwi2952 Dont take the counter, they almost never work out well. Sometimes they'll rescind it or change terms after you've already declined the other job. Plus now they know you were looking elsewhere and might not give you promotions or good projects etc going forward.
    via Icy-Kiwi2952

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maternity leave employee new job bad bosses
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