Under Fire for Denying Maternity Leave

I went viral, all for the wrong reasons.

The world came down hard on me, all because I refused to approve my employee, Cassandra’s, maternity leave.

Cassandra tore me apart online.

“Why won’t you grant me maternity leave?

“The government wants the birth rate to go up. Even if you’re the CEO, you can’t go against the law.

“I get it. The low birth rate exists because heartless capitalists like you treat employees like nothing.

“Fam, back me up here. Am I wrong to protect my unborn child?

“I have a legal right to maternity leave.”

With her words striking a chord with the young generation, the livestream became a viral sensation.

Many spammed the company’s social media to criticise me.

There were memes of me as a funeral portrait everywhere. Some even mailed wreaths to the office.

The board ordered me to apologize live.

I plugged into Cassandra’s stream and looked at her calmly.

“I’m sorry, but I still can’t approve your leave.”

The livestream was popping off, but what I said blew the whole thing wide open.

The comment section fell into a frenzy, tearing into me.

“Is he even human?”

“I can’t believe a beast like him can even run a company. Really, it takes all kinds.”

“Sam Gordon is a monster. There is a special place for you in hell.”

“Reported. It’s time to run this heartless company to the ground.”

“I guess you don’t have a mother, Gordon.”

“I’ve called the company and given those employees there a piece of my mind. Come on, people. Turn the heat on them.”

My secretary, Bruno, watched me cautiously from the side, his breath hitched.

“Mr. Gordon, you can be straight with me if I’ve done anything wrong. I’ll fix it.”

Cassandra Luckwell cried in the livestream, tears streaming down her face.

“Please, don’t hold my maternity leave against me. It was already hard for me to get pregnant. I don’t want to lose my baby.”

Her tears only fueled the fury of the online community.

“Is he only going to stop once he pushes Cassandra to her death? It’s the 21st century, people! Why is this still happening?”

“Lo and behold, this is the true face of a capitalist. Ugh! The monster ought to be crucified!”

“Don’t cry or beg him, girl. Just take him to court and sue the hell out of this capitalist!”

“How can men understand the struggles of pregnancy? Girl, take the advice of the commenter before me. Hit the inhumane monster with a lawsuit!”

“Don’t be scared, Cassandra. We are all behind you.”

Ignoring the flood of on-screen comments, I stressed, “I can’t approve your maternity leave, Cassandra.”

After a pause, I added. “Of course. Go ahead with suing me. I’m ready whenever you are.”

With that, I cut myself off from the livestream with Cassandra.

Just as I was about to exit, Cassandra put on a tearful act for the viewers. “Please stop with the insults, everybody. I’m sure Mr. Gordon has his reasons. He probably doesn’t like children…”

Oh, just what I needed.

That pretty much nailed me as a capitalist without an ounce of conscience.

Buzzing on the table, my phone lit up with the name Eric Webb, the chairman.

Once the call connected, Eric laid it thick on me.

“Sam, have you lost it? What the hell was that? Was that supposed to be an apology or an attempt to stir things up? Are you insane?

“Here’s your final chance. Apologize to Cassandra in person and clear things up in a livestream. We need this to go away.

“Listen up, Sam. Don’t expect me to play nice if your actions tank the company’s share price.”