CEO gets a reality check after sharing story of mom returning to work two days after childbirth

Business leaders often glorify exploitation and overworking as it works in their favor and that is what this CEO also did. He took to LinkedIn to share a story about a mother who started working two days after giving birth. As you can imagine, it did not go well with folks online. People on the internet called out the man for promoting hustle culture and glorifying exploitation. The original LinkedIn post is now unavailable, but Danny Thompson (@DThompsonDev) posted a screenshot of the post on X and shared his views on the same.

The post by the CEO read, "I was out yesterday and grabbing food when I went into a location because the drive-through was packed and not moving. Inside, I saw people hustling and working to get orders out. A woman said, 'Be right with you,' after greeting me. She came over and as she did, a baby was crying in a stroller parked next to the register. She said, 'Shhh shh, it's ok,' then asked if she could help me." The employee then reportedly told him that she was actually on maternity leave but came in to help the staff on Mother's Day because they were "swamped."

"I was so impressed by her care and determination," he wrote. After he ordered and waited for his food, he asked her how old her child was. "She points to the one I saw crying and says, 'He's two, but this one is two days old.' She had a newborn in the car seat covered up with the stroller," he wrote. He then went on to praise the woman for coming in to work despite having a two-day-old child.

"This type of grit, determination, care and drive is inspiring. My wife and I were completely floored," he expressed. "As someone who has three kids and who was raised by a single mom, I was nearly brought to tears." He concluded, "I hope this inspires you in whatever situation you are in to keep going. Don't give up. Don't give in. Keep going. You're seen."

Thompson wasn't happy with what the CEO shared. He wrote on X, "This is not inspiring. This isn't something that should be praised. I literally lived this life." He explained that for years, he had to bring his son to work at the gas station because he and his wife couldn't afford childcare on weekends. "This isn't some movie with background music playing in the background. I am all for motivation and framing things in a positive light, but this ain't it," he expressed.

People in the comments also accused the CEO of glorifying exploitation. @timocodes commented, "US hustle and grind culture is toxic to deadly measures. It's a shame the business owner doesn't know how to compensate if an employee is on maternity leave... seriously. Mothers are the most important thing to a baby and they should have the time to nurture their child." @punisherx6 also agreed as they wrote, "Disgusting glorification of exploitation and grind culture mindset."

@shookcodes shared her own experience, "Have also lived this. I worked in the hospital and the day I got back from the hospital with my first. Because I was scared the company wouldn't honor the federally required time off + couldn't afford it. I wish I had advocated for myself harder back then. Not a moment I look back and say, 'I'm so proud I worked the day after having a baby!' Just no." @ladyofcode expressed, "This is horrible. She deserves better. We should be shaming a system that leaves her feeling compelled to be there, especially when the reality is the company isn't there for her the same way."