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When you work a regular 9–5, you expect the usual office drama—small disagreements, awkward meetings, maybe the occasional passive-aggressive email. But sometimes, things cross a line in ways you never see coming.
That’s exactly what happened to one woman who shared her story online after a new coworker repeatedly started calling her “mom” at work. At first, it seemed harmless, even awkwardly humorous, but it quickly became uncomfortable. When she finally escalated the issue to HR, the situation took a serious turn, ending with the coworker being fired. Keep reading to find out how it all unfolded.
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It’s quite common for coworkers to help new hires feel settled in and welcomed at a new workplace
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
But for one woman, things took an uncomfortable turn when her coworker repeatedly referred to her as “mom,” despite being asked to stop
Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes (not the actual photo)
Image source: Alison Green
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)
Image source: Alison Green
Many people were taken aback by the coworker’s behavior and felt it crossed professional boundaries
Others chimed in by sharing similar workplace experiences they had gone through themselves
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What do you think ?
FreeTheUnicorn 2 months ago
This is gross. It's not any different to those people who think s****l harassment is just someone taking a compliment wrong He claims he respects her but won't take her feedback, so it's obvious this isn't a term of respect. Of course it's inappropriate to say that kind of thing in front of clients, but it's inappropriate if unwanted in private contexts. He was asked to stop, he didn't, just because he thinks it's a compliment doesn't mean it's not harassment. Just like some people won't mind if you address them as gorgeous or honey etc, if you're asked to stop, you have to stop.
Trillian 2 months ago
My dude, if I didn't squeeze you out of my v****a naked and squalling, you don't get to call me mom.
KrazyChiMama 2 months ago
Ooohhhh I called my middle aged Indian Boss “Dad” instead of “Doc” once…during a stress test…in front of a patient …I turned the color of a tomato, he giggled…later he came back to my lab when I was in between patients to tell me he would be honored to have me as a daughter! Great man…I do miss him <3 (he’s retired loving the good life)
FreeTheUnicorn 2 months ago
This is gross. It's not any different to those people who think s****l harassment is just someone taking a compliment wrong He claims he respects her but won't take her feedback, so it's obvious this isn't a term of respect. Of course it's inappropriate to say that kind of thing in front of clients, but it's inappropriate if unwanted in private contexts. He was asked to stop, he didn't, just because he thinks it's a compliment doesn't mean it's not harassment. Just like some people won't mind if you address them as gorgeous or honey etc, if you're asked to stop, you have to stop.
Trillian 2 months ago
My dude, if I didn't squeeze you out of my v****a naked and squalling, you don't get to call me mom.
KrazyChiMama 2 months ago
Ooohhhh I called my middle aged Indian Boss “Dad” instead of “Doc” once…during a stress test…in front of a patient …I turned the color of a tomato, he giggled…later he came back to my lab when I was in between patients to tell me he would be honored to have me as a daughter! Great man…I do miss him <3 (he’s retired loving the good life)
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