In a troubling revelation from Singapore, a worker took to social media to share his distressing experience of alleged workplace discrimination after announcing his wife’s pregnancy. The man, who has been a dedicated employee for four years and consistently recognized as a top performer, claims that his employer has pressured him to resign in an apparent attempt to deny him the company’s munificent paternity benefits.

The drama unfolded in January when the worker informed his supervisor about his wife's pregnancy. Shortly thereafter, his boss and the HR department confronted him with sudden and unfounded allegations of poor performance—an accusation he had never faced in his four-year tenure. The worker noted that he was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) filled with unrealistic goals designed to set him up for failure.

“I was taken aback by the claims. The objectives they outlined in the PIP are simply unattainable within the time frame they provided,” he wrote. As the situation escalated, he faced humiliating treatment from his boss, who criticized his character and made disparaging remarks during one-on-one meetings, nitpicking even minor errors while disregarding the context of his past successes.

Despite the toxic environment, the man’s personal life took a dramatic turn in July when his wife unexpectedly gave birth to their daughter prematurely. He availed himself of his government-mandated paternity leave, during which time his responsibilities were reassigned. Upon his return, rather than receiving support and understanding, he found himself immediately thrust back into the PIP process, with his boss continuing to exhibit passive-aggressive behavior towards him in front of his colleagues.

The emotional toll of the situation is evident. “This environment is adversely affecting my mental health,” he lamented, expressing fears that he might lose his job by the end of the month. Desperate for help, he reached out to the online community for advice, prompting an outpouring of support and outrage from netizens who condemned the company’s actions.

Many commenters labeled the situation as blatant workplace bullying and an abuse of power. Public sentiment reflected a broader concern over similar cases of discrimination faced by parents returning to work after taking leave. The issue is not unique to this individual; research indicates that workload discrimination is prevalent in Singapore, disproportionately affecting fathers and mothers alike.

According to the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE), maternity discrimination remains a significant issue in workplaces across the nation. Since launching its Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory (WHDA) in 2019, the organization has seen a staggering number of cases, with maternity-related issues constituting a majority of complaints.

A recent survey by Indeed also revealed that nearly one-third (32%) of working parents in Singapore believed they had faced mistreatment related to their parental status. The statistics are telling, pointing out that while much attention has been directed to maternal discrimination, fathers are also experiencing challenges when it comes to balancing their professional and personal lives.

For those experiencing this kind of discrimination, resources are available. The WHDA offers support to those grappling with workplace issues related to pregnancy and parental leave. Contact their hotline for assistance, and remember, no one should have to face such treatment while trying to welcome and care for a new family member.

As the workplace culture evolves, it is imperative that both employees and employers recognize and address discrimination, fostering an environment where work-life balance and familial responsibilities are respected and supported. This harrowing story serves as a reminder that the fight for fair treatment in the workplace is far from over.