Wife In Labour - Boss Denies Leave And Says “You Don’t Have To Do Anything Anyway”

Childbirth is one of the most emotional moments in a person’s life. And it is not just for the mother, but the dad too. Being there for your spouse when she gives birth is more than a duty. It is a responsibility and a deeply human need.

A man shared on Reddit that he had informed his manager that his wife was admitted to the hospital for delivery and requested just two days of leave. What came from the other side was a shocking response. He was told to delay his leave and not just that, he was asked to work from the hospital while his wife in the labour room.

The Conversation

In the conversation, the man said:

“Hi sir … my wife has been admitted to the hospital for delivery, I will be taking off today and tomorrow.”

Instead of empathy, the manager replied with concern over business deliverables:

“That’s great. But we have key deliverables in the next one week. Are your parents with you?”

When the employee confirmed his parents were around, the manager didn’t let up:

“You can take leave after a week, or see if you can work from the hospital … You don’t have to do anything anyway.”

When the employee pushed back, saying he needed leave because he couldn't reasonably work from a hospital room, his manager eventually told him to send a formal email to HR.

The man later wrote on Reddit that he felt trapped. He said he should have been focusing on his wife and their newborn ,and not justifying why he couldn’t be with his laptop in a hospital room.

He went on to explain that he felt unable to resign or contest the request too strongly. He already had one child and increasing financial responsibilities. “I’m genuinely scared of getting fired if I push back too much,” he admitted.

Many workplaces still lack genuine empathy and fail to honor life’s biggest moments.

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A Father’s Presence Is Emotional Support

When a mother is in labour, having the father nearby can make a big difference. His presence can calm her, give her strength, and make her feel safe. Just holding her hand, encouraging her, and being there quietly can help reduce the fear.

Parenting doesn’t begin after the baby is born. It starts with the labour. Being there from the start helps dads bond with their baby and feel connected. It also shows that raising a child is a shared job, where both parents work together to give love and care.

Paternity Leave Is Important Too

Fathers need time off, too. Paternity leave helps dads support their partner, bond with their baby, and learn parenting skills. When companies give and encourage this leave, it shows that both parents are equally important in raising a child.

Companies need to remember that employees are people first, not just workers. Life events like having a baby, sickness, or emergencies are important and cannot be ignored.