A troubling text exchange between a pregnant employee and her boss has ignited outrage online regarding maternity leave policies.
Ben Askins, a British career advisor who frequently calls out toxic workplaces, shared this exchange with his audience, labeling his employer as “one of the top three worst bosses I’ve met.”
This TikTok video, which has garnered nearly 590,000 views, features Ben narrating an unsettling conversation.
It all kicked off when an employee reached out to confirm receipt of an email regarding her maternity leave set to begin in February.
The boss’s reply was quite unexpected.
“I saw it, and I wanted to talk to you about it. Is there a chance you might consider taking less time? If you’re set on doing it, can we discuss it? I’m worried about the costs for us,” the boss said.
The taken-aback employee tried to articulate her desire for the legally entitled time off.
“Um, I want to take the full time available. This is my first child, and I’d like to adjust to parenthood as much as possible, especially since my family is far away,” she replied.
“I’ll ensure a smooth handover and support the interview with Matt Cover, but I really want to take the full leave.”
Yet her boss insisted that taking extended leave could be detrimental to their small company.
“The issue is, since this is a small company, paying for both maternity leave and a replacement is a significant strain. I’m not sure how we can manage that,” he explained.
Remaining polite, the woman stood firm.
“I appreciate your concerns, but it’s unfair to pressure me. I’m happy to help, but I am entitled to this,” she said.
“I can support what I can, but can we ensure everything is lined up for a smooth transition and perhaps call an emergency meeting if needed?”
Feeling he might have overstepped, the boss backtracked.
“Not at all! Your pregnancy is absolutely fine with me; we consider ourselves a family company.”
Still, he couldn’t help adding one last caveat, “It’s just not the best timing for me, that’s all. But if you don’t want to cut back your time, there isn’t much else I can do.”
Ben pointed out that he found these exchanges troubling.
“He’s basically trying to guilt her into waiving her rights… So then he can say, ‘Yeah, she agreed to that,'” he commented.
“This isn’t her problem; it’s his. If she’s not a stakeholder, she isn’t responsible for the company’s issues,” he expressed.
Ben lauded the employee for making “reasonable” requests and even suggested that she should not feel pressured to shorten her leave.
The video quickly attracted a wave of furious reactions, with many viewers calling out the “manipulative” tactics of bosses and suggesting legal action.
“Not her issue,” one commenter remarked.
“This is just begging for a lawsuit,” another added.
“She shouldn’t even have to justify herself,” stated yet another viewer.
It seems this incident struck a nerve, with many chiming in with their own unsettling experiences.
“I was told not to discuss it because ‘Your baby can still die until the end,'” one user recounted.
“My previous manager tried to convince me to have an abortion, then questioned why I didn’t want to return to work after my baby was born,” another shared.
In Australia, the Fair Work Act entitles eligible employees to up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service, along with access to government-funded and employer-funded leave.
Many have pointed out that maternity leave isn’t a privilege; it’s a legal right.
“Wow… Save this and consult an employment lawyer. Get a settlement and enjoy!” one commenter advised.
“This is a classic case of maternity discrimination. Employers really need to understand the stakes involved,” another added.
