When she told her boss she was pregnant, his reaction was warm and supportive—at least on the surface.
But behind the kind words was a betrayal that would leave her financially strained and emotionally shaken. Her experience reveals how easy it is for workplace “support” to mask a deeper injustice.
The Letter
Dear,
When I announced my pregnancy to my boss, he smiled and said, “Congratulations! Feel free to take leave whenever you need.”
Encouraged by his response, I officially requested 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. He approved it in writing, and I felt a huge sense of relief knowing I was supported.
But a month into my leave, I checked my payslip, and my heart sank. The amount listed was zero. No salary, no explanation.
Alarmed, I called my boss, assuming it was a clerical error. Instead, he calmly told me, “Oh, I let HR know you opted for unpaid leave. It helps with our department’s budget.”
I was stunned. We had never discussed unpaid leave, and this decision was made without even consulting me.
When I protested, he dismissed my concerns and said,
“Well, you’re not working, so why would you be paid? We need to take care of the team that’s picking up your responsibilities.”
Later, I discovered he had actually redistributed my salary among my coworkers, offering them temporary bonuses to “keep spirits high” while I was away.
Throughout what should’ve been a time of bonding with my newborn, I was instead on the phone with HR, drafting emails, and contemplating legal action. I burned through my savings just to cover basic living costs.
When I finally returned to the office, he greeted me with a big smile and said, “Welcome back! We missed you.” As if none of it had happened.
I’m still trying to figure out what to do next. I feel betrayed, devalued, and completely powerless. Was it wrong for me to expect fair treatment? Should I speak up, or just move on?
—Natalie
