12 Stories That Prove Grandparents Are the Heart and Soul of Family

When a woman informed her boss she was expecting, he congratulated her and approved her paid maternity leave without hesitation. But what followed left her financially drained, emotionally betrayed, and fighting to reclaim her dignity. Her story is a powerful reminder that even supportive words can hide serious injustice.
Hi Bright Side,
When I told my boss I was pregnant, he smiled and said, “Congrats! Take leave anytime.” So I requested 12 weeks of paid maternity leave—it was approved in writing, and I felt relieved knowing I had support.
But a month later, I checked my payslip and froze. It said zero. No paycheck, no explanation. I panicked and called my boss, thinking it was a mistake. That’s when he told me, “Oh, I told HR you chose unpaid leave to support the team’s budget goals.”
He never discussed this with me. When I pushed back, he shrugged and said, “I mean, you’re not working—why should you earn full pay? We need to reward the people picking up your slack.”
I later found out he had divided my salary among my coworkers as temporary bonuses to “boost morale.” I spent my entire leave juggling a newborn and fighting to fix the damage—calling HR, sending emails, even considering legal action. I drained my savings just to cover basic expenses.
When I returned to work, he greeted me with a big grin and said, “Welcome back to the family.” Like nothing had happened.
I’m still processing what to do. I feel taken advantage of, disrespected, and powerless. Was I wrong to expect fairness? Should I speak up or let it go?
—Natalie
Before you head out, don’t miss our next article about a mom who trusted her mother-in-law to keep her daughter safe, only to be let down in a way that changed everything. What’s worse? Her MIL doesn’t seem the least bit sorry. It’s a powerful story about trust, betrayal, and drawing the line when family crosses it.