Sick child, cold boss—should a parent really feel guilty for taking emergency leave?

A mother rushed her feverish child to hospital one frantic morning, expecting understanding from her workplace.

Instead, she faced an unexpected barrage of guilt from her boss.

The response has sparked outrage and reignited debate over Australian workers’ rights.

The viral exchange

The exchange, shared by career expert Ben Askins on social media, began when the mother texted her boss about needing the morning off for a family emergency.

Her child had been unwell overnight with a high fever, and she had already secured leave approval from another manager.

Rather than offering concern, her boss replied: 'That's really not ideal. You know what we're up against this week, can't someone else handle it?

When the mother explained that no one else could take her child to hospital, the boss reluctantly approved the absence but warned her not to 'take too long' as 'we need you on this project.'

Legal protections for employees

Under the National Employment Standards, employees (except casuals) are entitled to paid carer's leave, and employers must approve legitimate requests.

Full-time employees receive 10 days per year, while part-time staff get a pro-rata entitlement.

Paid carer's leave can be taken to care for or support an immediate family or household member who is sick, injured or facing an unexpected emergency.

Notice should be given as soon as reasonably possible, but emergencies are recognised under the law.

Adverse action against employees for using their leave—such as reduced hours, demotion, discipline or termination—is unlawful.

The culture of workplace guilt

The viral text highlighted a toxic workplace mentality that ignores clear legal protections.

A survey by people2people Recruitment found that 63 per cent of Australian workers admitted to not taking sick leave when needed, with 22 per cent citing feelings of guilt.

Career expert Ben Askins noted: 'Do you think she wants to be doing this in the morning? She's got a sick kid, she's got to take him to the hospital, that's obviously just quite a stressful situation.'

He added that it was 'ridiculous' to expect a parent to choose work over taking a child to hospital, yet many workplaces still operate under this assumption.

Paid leave exists to support employees through illness, injury, family emergencies or life-threatening situations affecting close family members.

Good managers recognise that supporting employees during these times builds loyalty, reduces turnover and fosters a productive workplace culture.

Positive examples of supportive management

Positive responses to the viral post illustrated what supportive management looks like.

One commenter shared: 'I took two days off and have been working from home for the last four. My boss is more worried about me getting better than coming in.'

Employees should know that unused sick and carer's leave carries over, so taking leave does not deplete anything they are entitled to.

Employers can request reasonable evidence, such as a medical certificate, but must do so consistently and fairly.

A generational perspective

For Australians over 60, this story may feel familiar, recalling workplaces where taking time off for family emergencies was frowned upon.

Today’s legal protections are stronger, reflecting decades of advocacy for better workplace rights.

Stories like this show that culture still lags behind law.

Employers must treat all leave requests fairly, apply consistent standards and keep policies up to date.

Employees should remember that family emergencies matter and taking legally entitled leave is not a sign of weakness.

The mother in this story acted correctly, following proper procedures and prioritising her child’s health, yet her boss’s reaction highlighted a toxic workplace culture.

Stories of workplace stress and unfair treatment are far from isolated, and sometimes they reveal deeper systemic issues within organisations.

One former employee’s experience shows just how damaging a toxic workplace culture can be, especially when management fails to support staff during challenging situations.

If you want to see another real-life example of workplace struggles and the impact on employees, this story is worth a read.

Read more: Former worker exposes Centrelink truth: 'It's a joke'

Have you experienced pressure from employers when taking carer's leave, and how can Australian workplaces better support parents and carers?