" I reiterated that I was in fighting labor and needed to go to the infirmary immediately . John snap back , ' It ’s just a group meeting . posture through it , and then you may go . It ’s not like the babe is go to drink down out powerful now . ' "
Workplace mistreatment is always wrong, but this Reddit story about a pregnant woman who was forced to attend a work meeting while in active labor is absolutely wild.
A user,IllSituation6855, is questioning her decision to report her boss to human resources for demanding she stay for a work meeting, even though she was having contractions. Now, her work life is a disaster.
Here’s the fullstory:“I (28, female) have been working at my company for five years, and until recently, I loved my job. I was eight months pregnant when this happened (about a month ago), so I started having contractions while at work. Since I was not due yet, I thought it was just Braxton Hicks because they weren’t that intense. Just a week before that, I had experienced Braxton Hicks and went to the hospital, but it was a false alarm.”
“By noon, the contractions were getting stronger and closer together, and I knew it was real labor. I needed to go to the hospital. I informed John that I was in labor and needed to leave. He rolled his eyes and said, ‘Just stay for the meeting at 1 p.m. It’s crucial, and we need you there.'”
" I was stunned . I reiterated that I was in participating travail and needed to go to the hospital immediately . John snapped back , ' It ’s just a group meeting . seat through it , and then you could go . It ’s not like the baby is go to drink down out right now . ' feel pressured and fright for my job , I reluctantly delay . "
“The meeting lasted an excruciating two hours. By the end of it, I was in so much pain that I could barely walk. I finally left and drove myself to the hospital, where I was admitted immediately.”
“When I told my husband what had happened, he was furious and insisted we report John to HR. I was hesitant because I didn’t want to jeopardize my job, but I agreed it was the right thing to do. HR was appalled and assured me they would handle the situation. John has since been suspended pending an investigation.”
" The real kicker ? During the probe , it came out that John had emailed the intact office while I was in travail , kick about my ' want of commitment ' and making fun of me for ' overreact . ' He even mean that I was using my pregnancy as an alibi to get out of work . "
“Now, my coworkers are pissed at me, saying I overreacted and that I should have just sucked it up for the sake of the company. I’ve even received messages and emails from a few colleagues saying that I’ve ‘ruined’ John’s career and that he was just doing his job under pressure. One even said that I should have ‘toughed it out’ like their wife did during her pregnancy.”
" The stress from this whole ordeal has made it unmanageable to enjoy my first few days with my newborn baby . I ’m invariably secondly - venture myself and feel shamefaced despite knowing I did what was best for my baby and me . "
“To make matters worse, the interim manager who took over from John is even worse. He’s made it clear to everyone that he resents my actions and has made my return to work unbearable. Now that my maternity leave is over, I find myself isolated at work. People give me side-eyes and whisper about me. During lunch, I’m alone because no one wants to sit with the ‘troublemaker.'”
“I cry most of the time when I come home and sometimes even in the office washroom when someone passes a comment. In the worst moments, I get mad at my husband and blame him for making me tell HR, even though I know he did the right thing. He’s so sweet and never takes it to heart. I apologize soon after, but he always says he wasn’t even mad and that he understands how I’m feeling, especially since I’m just one month postpartum.”
" He say I should take action and complain , but I do n’t want to make things bad . He ’s also enjoin he ca n’t see me like this and that I should just quit because it ’s smart him . I do n’t know what to do ; I ’m just such a tender and emotional individual in general , and now it ’s been worse since present parentage . Am I the asshole for report my knob after he forced me to attend a meeting despite knowing I was in labor ? "
" You did the right matter by reporting him . Your health and your infant ’s health fare first . Your coworkers who are siding with him understandably have no empathy or understanding of introductory human decency . You deserve to process in an environment where you are respected and handle with dignity , not bullied and coerced into put your life at peril . "
“If someone that’s nine months pregnant is crucial to a business meeting, then that’s shit management,” useryou-did-askagreed.
One user recommended the woman get an attorney to deal with the harassment she’s facing at work.
" It ’s far past time to halt dealing with HR and consult with an engagement lawyer . This is a text uncongenial workplace with the hostility being due to a protect status . OP should discontinue dealing with this Bel , let a attorney , and likely delight some additional clip with her little one on the company ’s dime bag for their discrimination , harassment , and toxic work culture . “—Owain - X
