I am a 35-year-old woman who is four months pregnant. My baby bump is beginning to show and I have just noticed that one of my bosses is not happy with this. He made a nasty comment to a close colleague about women who get pregnant when the company is struggling – and I got to hear about it.
Apparently his concern is that of having to pay me my salary while I am on maternity leave. I have served that company for four years now and this is the first time I will be on maternity leave. The comments have really upset me and I was thinking of approaching my boss about it. It is now affecting my perception of him as a leader and I just want to clear some issues with him. Is it something you would advise? – Charmaine
Dear Charmaine
That was a nasty and sexist comment from your boss, but right now it is just a rumour isn’t it? Normally employers, especially male ones, are business-minded and can become selfish and concerned with profits and expenses rather than employees’ needs and concerns.
What is going through his mind is just how he is going to foot the expense of paying your salary and at the same time employing another person to do your job for the three months you are away.
This is normal. He cannot be crucified for thinking that. But if he decides to act – for example by firing you, denying you maternity leave or deciding not to pay you, that would be an offence. It is your constitutional right to have three months maternity leave on full salary and your employer has no right to deny you that.
But as the situation stands, he has not called you to his office to say anything of that sort, it was probably one immoral person he trusted with his thoughts who leaked it out.
You have no reason to hate him and you should not let any rumours affect you. I would not advise you to approach your boss about it, so long he has not said anything direct to you, leave it like that and continue with your work in peace. – Aunty Lisa
Post published in: Lifestyle