Coworker’s Nickname For Woman Gets Him Sent To HR, He Doesn’t See The Problem: “I Wanted To Compliment Her”

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.

It’s quite common for coworkers to help new hires feel settled in and welcomed at a new workplace

Woman looking weirded out as coworker in blue suit insists on calling her his work mom in office setting

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

Woman looking confused as coworker insists on calling her his work mom in an awkward office interaction.

Text excerpt describing a woman feeling weirded out as a coworker insists on calling her his work mom.

Text excerpt showing a woman feeling weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom.

Text excerpt from a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom, expressing disbelief and concern.

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Text excerpt about a woman feeling weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom.

Text showing a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her work mom despite her requests to use her first name.

Text from a woman expressing feeling weird as her coworker insists on calling her his work mom despite her only doing basic help.

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Woman at work smiling nervously while coworker insists on calling her his work mom in an office setting

Image credits: Pablo Merchán Montes (not the actual photo)

Text expressing a woman feeling weirded out as a coworker insists on calling her his work mom.

Image source: Alison Green

Woman weirded out at work as coworker insists on calling her his work mom during office meeting.

Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

Text update describing a woman weirded out as her coworker insists on calling her his work mom.

Text on a screen showing a woman telling her coworker firmly to stop calling her his work mom immediately or she will escalate to HR.

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Text conversation about a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom, describing passive aggressive behavior.

Man talking to woman looking weirded out in office setting with laptop and coffee cup on table, work mom coworker tension

Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

Woman weirded out at work, feeling uncomfortable as a coworker insists on calling her his work mom.

Image source: Alison Green

Many people were taken aback by the coworker’s behavior and felt it crossed professional boundaries

Text post showing a user expressing frustration about coworker insisting on calling a woman his work mom.

Excerpt from a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom in a text post.

Comment expressing frustration over coworker behavior, describing a woman weirded out by being called his work mom.

Text conversation screenshot showing user expressing discomfort as coworker insists on calling her work mom, feeling weirded out.

Screenshot of an online comment expressing discomfort about coworkers pushing fetishes in the workplace.

Text comment expressing frustration about coworker calling woman his work mom and workplace sexism concerns.

Comment expressing that calling a woman work mom may be considered s****l harassment related to her gender.

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Comment text on a white background discussing a new angle for guys with mommy issues, related to woman weirded out as coworker calls her work mom.

Comment discussing a woman feeling weirded out as a coworker insists on calling her work mom and its sexist implications.

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Text comment on social media expressing a reaction to a coworker calling a woman his work mom.

Woman looking weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom during office conversation.

User expressing discomfort as coworker insists on calling her work mom, sensing underlying sexism in the comment.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment saying some men need to understand the word NO, reflecting a woman weirded out by coworker behavior.

Screenshot of a social media comment reacting to coworker calling woman his work mom, expressing discomfort.

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Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing gender-based harassment and ageism in a workplace context.

Comment saying her creep-o-meter is broken in response to coworker calling woman his work mom.

Others chimed in by sharing similar workplace experiences they had gone through themselves

Text post discussing a young Navy officer's email struggles, reflecting a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her work mom.

Text excerpt showing a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom in a professional email.

Text post sharing a story about being weirded out as a woman when coworker insists on calling her work mom.

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Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a family-like team dynamic and coworkers referring to each other as work mom.

Comment discussing a woman weirded out as coworker insists on calling her his work mom in a workplace context.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing being weirded out when a coworker insists on calling her work mom.

Text describing a woman weirded out as her coworker insists on calling her his work mom in a professional setting.

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