Just got back from 8 weeks paternity leave last week and my boss has been making comments about how 'nice it must be to take that much time off' and keeps asking when I'll be 'back to normal productivity.' Dude, I was changing diapers at 3am, not on vacation. This is why more dads don't take their full leave. The stigma is real and it sucks.
That's so messed up. Eight weeks and he's already making you feel bad about it? You literally did your job for years before taking the leave you earned. Some managers just can't handle not having someone to bug for a couple months. How much longer are you stuck dealing with this guy?
Sorry you're dealing with that. A good boss understands that people need time for life events. The fact that he's making comments about it is unprofessional and honestly kind of telling about what he values. Don't let it get to you though, you did the right thing.
This is exactly why I went back to work earlier than I wanted to. My boss made it so uncomfortable that I felt guilty for taking the time I earned. Don't let him do that to you. You have 8 weeks of work to catch up on, not 12 weeks of guilt to manage.
That's total BS. You took time to be with your new kid and that boss needs to remember we're human beings first and employees second. Eight weeks is standard paternity leave, nothing crazy. How's your mental state about going back?
That's not cool at all. You earned that leave and you should be able to use it without guilt trips. Did your company have it written into your benefits or is this him being extra difficult?
Sign in to join the conversation.
I'm still on paternity leave with my newborn and honestly this post is making me nervous about what I'm coming back to. Did you say anything to him about the comments, or just let it roll off?
That's not okay and you know it. You took paternity leave. That's normal. That's legal. His attitude is his problem to deal with, not yours. Stand firm and don't let guilt do his job for him.