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Working mom stands her ground and quits after boss breaks promise on flexibility for her kids: ‘Work from home stops’

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  • A mom works on her laptop while holding her baby, balancing childcare and productivity at home.
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  • I recently quit my job because of schedule flexibility around my kids. When I initially spoke to the owner before starting, I asked about Work From Home option and flexibility.
  • My elementary aged kids are out of school often (per the county school schedule) and we are on multiple waitlist for childcare.
  • He agreed that it would not be a problem. I would always communicate the school schedule and what's going in my life so they are aware.
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  • My son broke his arm and had to have surgery, keeping him out of school for a week.
  • I grabbed my laptop and worked remotely for that. Always keeping them updated on what's going on.
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  • Fast forward to now: he blew up at me when I asked to take spring break completely off.
  • No, taking the laptop home and working, OFF off. Asking "what are you going to do about summer, I can't have you off for two months" Confused by the question, I simply responded "they are in camp, summer is taken care of" he then proceeds to say "yea, it's fine" The following day one of my counterparts pulls me aside and ask how I'm doing.
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  • In a "concerning" tone. Then states "you know, I'm the reason you came back today". My thoughts were all over the place.
  • Thinking what is happening right now. Come to find out, my boss always had an issue with me working remotely just never shared it until he blew up at me.
  • The next day he apologized for "coming at me" because the production was behind in the shop (I was an office employee).
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  • A mother sits on the couch with two young children, all focused on a tablet in a cozy living room.
  • I brought up the fact of, if it was an issue the first time, it should have been communicated and i would have ended it right then and there.
  • He agreed And stated moving forward the work from home stops. I replied, thank you but this role is not a good fit for me.
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  • He was shocked that I was quitting. Am I the a hle here?
  • Square_Band9870 Maybe? It sounds like the boss was struggling but trying to make it work. Perhaps you quit prematurely. It sounds like he did give the ok ti spring break. Also, why tell him it's spring break for kids? Just ask for that week off if you have PTO. If he's older, that could explain his inability to understand that remote work is work and also people need time off.
  • Alicatsidneystorm NTA. Perhaps he thought WFH would be ok but it wasn't. You are definitely NTA.
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  • BikerSlutsFromH 1 Nta, kids come first. Anyone who can't understand this is delusional
  • Daisytru Definitely NTA, OP. Interesting comment from your counterpart. In my experience, those who aren't offered WFH are sometimes resentful of employees who are WFH. They think it's a license to be a slacker and that the office people do more work. They may have been complaining in your boss's ear. When you look again for work, be sure to get WFH in writing.
  • savage_blue_isaac He shouldn't have okayed wfh in the beginning. Its like hes upset you have kids or something. And tbh I think he was planning to fire you while on your break which is why your coworker said that. I would've let him fire me and went to court for unemployment. when they asked why was I fired I would tell them exactly why and how he blew up at me for doing what he specifically said I was allowed to do given my situation.
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  • _iusuallydont_ NTA. Lots of jobs like to lure people in with "flexibility," stressing the importance of work-life balance and, seeming to give you options only to renege upon hiring because people need work. You just called his bluff and you shouldn't feel bad about it. He didn't keep up the terms you agreed to when accepting the position, so you left. It's not personal, it's just business.
  • A mother juggles a phone call, work, and caring for her child at a desk, multitasking through a busy day.
  • begme2again NTA. You're acceptance on taking the job was based on your ability to work from home when needed. Once removing the option from you there is no reasonable person that should be shocked you would quit your agreement as well.
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  • 269funtimes NTA, if work from home wasn't an option he shouldn't have offered it.
  • oylaura NTH. Repeat after me: family comes first. He offered you that job under false pretenses. You accepted in good faith. He figured you would "figure something out" since you had been there long enough. He was wrong. You did nothing wrong. That being said, I don't understand when you said your colleague told you they were the reason you came back that day. Is that something you meant to edit out or something I'm missing?

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