“It Gets Juicy”: Company Tries To Deny Woman Maternity Leave, Underestimates Her

In a perfect world, women planning to have children would get the support they need from their employers and the government.

But the reality is often far from perfect.

One woman recently shared on Reddit how her employer tried to claim she wasn’t eligible for maternity pay, hoping she would simply accept it and move on. But she wasn’t about to let that slide—and she found the proof to show they were lying.

Now that she has the evidence, the company is scrambling to make it disappear. Read the full story below.

The company told the woman she wasn’t eligible for maternity pay

Pregnant woman with glasses smiling while on phone call, proving maternity leave eligibility in a cozy office setting.

Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)

But when she uncovered proof they were lying, they started scrambling to make it disappear

Text on screen explaining HR used a fake reason to deny maternity leave, then employer asked for proof.

Text excerpt from a pregnant woman exposing her company’s false claim about maternity leave eligibility in the UK.

Text excerpt about a pregnant woman told she’s not eligible for maternity leave by her company despite legal rights.

Two people reviewing and signing documents at a table, related to maternity leave eligibility discussions.

Image credits: Gabrielle Henderson / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text stating a pregnant woman confirms she meets maternity leave eligibility criteria after company denial.

Text showing a message about a woman being told she wasn’t eligible for maternity leave and the conversation ending abruptly.

Text showing a determined pregnant woman proves she is eligible for maternity leave after company denies it.

Pregnant woman holding glasses, looking concerned while discussing maternity leave eligibility with a company representative.

Image credits: Andrej Lišakov / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text showing a woman finding secret documents proving her employer lied about maternity leave eligibility.

Handwritten HR note denying maternity leave eligibility due to zero hours contract, disputing company’s claim.

Text bubble with a message challenging a company denying maternity leave, referencing legal eligibility and HMRC confirmation.

Close-up of hands holding a smartphone, illustrating a pregnant woman proving her eligibility for maternity leave.

Image credits: Priscilla Du Preez / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text message conversation about employer wrongly denying maternity leave eligibility and requesting to return forms.

Text message from a pregnant woman proving her company is lying about maternity leave eligibility with physical proof.

List outlining a pregnant woman’s entitlement to maternity leave despite employer’s denial and HR’s lack of response.

Hand scanning colorful file folders on a copier, relating to company maternity leave eligibility documents and proof efforts.

Image credits: A F / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Screenshot of text about documenting a dispute over maternity leave eligibility and denial by a company.

Screenshot of a message describing stress and anxiety while waiting for employer’s response about maternity leave eligibility.

Text excerpt from a letter discussing maternity leave eligibility and escalation to HMRC’s Disputes team and ACAS.

Image credits: Impressive-Serve-759

Over half of moms have experienced workplace discrimination during or after pregnancy

Pregnant woman holding baby with pacifier, working on laptop, illustrating maternity leave eligibility dispute.

Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Estimates suggest that up to 85% of women in the workforce will become mothers at some point in their careers.

It’s a testament to progress that many women can pursue both motherhood and their professional goals. But to ensure a healthy and fulfilling motherhood journey, moms need time off to recover and financial support to help raise their children.

Unfortunately, many businesses see that as a liability and fail to offer proper support.

A report by the charity Pregnant Then Screwed found that over half of mothers (52%) have faced discrimination while pregnant, on maternity leave, or after returning to work. 64% said their boss or colleagues made hurtful comments about the way they look. One in five reported such negative experiences that they ended up leaving their jobs.

Research from pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s reveals a similar pattern. According to their workplace surveys, 46% of respondents said they had experienced insensitive comments from colleagues during pregnancy, and 83% felt they had to ‘put on a brave face’ at work.

These comments can take many forms, beyond the expected judgment about getting pregnant and taking maternity leave.

“When I revealed my pregnancy at work, I was immediately asked by almost everyone in the company if it was planned or accidental. I had to defend myself, reassuring them that it was an unplanned accidental pregnancy,” Arienne told ABC News Australia.

Jillian shared that a women’s health organization, where she expected support, withdrew a job offer after finding out she was pregnant.

While some employers and workplace cultures are actively hostile toward employees navigating pregnancy and parenthood, in many cases, a lack of understanding leads to awkwardness or inaction.

For parents who have lost a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth, over two-thirds (69%) said their managers simply didn’t know how to support them.

The broader issue is a combination of hostility, discrimination, and a lack of information or training on how to handle these sensitive situations.

“A real cultural shift is needed to develop supportive workplace communities where people feel able to share things with colleagues, ask managers for help when needed, and receive the kind of support that truly works for them,” said Jacqui Clinton, Fundraising Director at Tommy’s.

Later, the woman shared what the form actually looked like

Reddit comments discussing company denying maternity leave and employee proving eligibility and unfair treatment.

Document explaining reasons for refusal of maternity leave and statutory maternity pay eligibility criteria.

Image credits: Impressive-Serve-759

Readers encouraged her to stand her ground and keep fighting for a fair outcome

Comment discussing a company denying maternity leave and advising to address the issue quickly.

Comment advising a pregnant woman to email a scan of her document to prove maternity leave eligibility and avoid deletion.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing escalating a maternity leave eligibility issue with the employer.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment advising to mention a lawyer to challenge maternity leave denial from a company.

Text from a social media comment explaining how winning a discrimination lawsuit can lead to uncapped damages against an employer.

Text comment on a white background discussing escalating issues with people acting in bad faith, related to maternity leave eligibility dispute.

Comment on a forum discussing a suspicious maternity leave case, advising to keep evidence and review pay conditions carefully.

Screenshot of an online comment advising a pregnant woman to legally dispute a company denying maternity leave eligibility.

Comment from user BusinessPublic2577 advising to keep documents as evidence to prove a pattern of behavior against maternity leave claims.

Screenshot of a forum comment advising a pregnant woman to press the issue and look for a new job regarding maternity leave eligibility.

Online comment advising pregnant woman to document everything after company denies maternity leave eligibility.

Comment describing a company denying maternity leave eligibility and an employee exposing the lie with detailed work hour records.

Text post explaining how a pregnant woman can use UK law to prove maternity leave eligibility and handle work stress.

Comment on a forum post discussing a company telling a pregnant woman she’s not eligible for maternity leave.

Comment advising to file a complaint to secure maternity leave and protect family rights against unfair treatment.

Screenshot of Reddit comment discussing proof and evidence related to maternity leave eligibility and document verification.

Comment advising to escalate with proof after company tells pregnant woman she’s not eligible for maternity leave.

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