When Natalie informed her boss about her pregnancy, his initial reaction seemed warm and supportive. He congratulated her and encouraged her to take maternity leave whenever needed. Feeling reassured, she formally requested 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, which he approved in writing — or so she thought.

A month into her leave, Natalie checked her payslip and was shocked to find it empty — no salary, no explanation. Concerned, she contacted her boss, expecting a simple clerical error. Instead, he casually informed her that he had told HR she’d opted for unpaid leave, claiming it helped manage the department’s budget. They had never discussed unpaid leave, and the decision had been made without her knowledge or consent.

Adding to the betrayal, Natalie later learned that her salary had been redistributed as bonuses among coworkers to “boost morale” while she was away. Rather than spending her maternity leave bonding with her newborn, she found herself fighting for her financial rights — making calls to HR, writing emails, and considering legal action, all while her savings rapidly dwindled.

Upon returning to work, her boss welcomed her with a cheerful “We missed you,” pretending everything was normal. But for Natalie, nothing felt normal. She was left feeling betrayed, financially strained, and emotionally exhausted, questioning the legality and ethics of what had happened.

Now back at her desk, Natalie wonders whether to raise her voice or stay silent. Was she wrong to expect basic fairness? And if she doesn’t speak up, who will?