When Being a Parent at Work Becomes a Problem

Workplaces are meant to be spaces where people feel respected, valued, and supported. Unfortunately, not every office meets this standard, and sometimes personal boundaries are crossed in ways that can be hurtful or unfair. When this happens, it can leave people wondering whether they should speak up or stay silent. Recently, Bright Side received a letter from a reader who faced such a situation at her job and decided to share her experience.

Hi Bright Side,

I leave work early at 4:30 to pick up my four kids from school. My coworker Liz, who is childfree, nags that I’m dumping my work on her and calls me “School Bus.” Yesterday, she said, “You think you’re a career woman, but all you’re good at is getting pregnant! Stay at home if you want a big family!”

I smirked. I didn’t say anything, but I had been recording her. I’ve had enough of her words to me, and I had decided to click on my phone recorder when she started talking to me. The next day, without telling any of our colleagues, I went to HR.

I made them hear Liz’s words and told them that I cannot continue working with such a person.

I went back to my desk, and Liz started to make her usual comments about my big family. Then she froze when I revealed the recording to her and said that HR wanted to see her.

Once she came back, she started begging me when she found out that I had reported her and that she was going to be laid off. She said that she’s the one taking care of her sick parents and that she needs her work more than anything.

Now I feel bad that a coworker is going to be fired because of me. Do you think I went too far, or did I stand up for myself?

Yours,
Amanda