A TikToker named Tommy found himself thrust into the spotlight after he claimed to have been fired by his employer immediately after revealing that his girlfriend was pregnant.
The incident has raised questions about workplace discrimination and the treatment of expectant fathers.
Workplace discrimination, especially against pregnant women or those seeking maternity leave, is widely condemned, as it contravenes labor laws and ethical standards.
However, this case, which unfolded on TikTok, has raised concerns about whether it was real or a stunt designed for internet virality.
Tommy’s original video, which he posted last month, has been deleted, and his entire TikTok account was removed.
Fortunately, some vigilant netizens managed to save and circulate copies of the footage. Despite the account deletion, some of Tommy’s posts can still be accessed through web archives.
Tommy’s situation shed light on the issue of paternity leave for men, which is granted in various states, usually providing at least 12 weeks off for new fathers.
Tommy took to TikTok to expose his employer’s actions, revealing a Zoom call in which he was informed of his termination.
During the conversation, a woman from management assured Tommy that his job loss had nothing to do with the pregnancy, stating, “The team has undergone a restructuring.”
She explained, “Your role has been eliminated, and that is effective today.”
His employer described the decision as “difficult” and insisted that they had handled the termination with “care.”
After the call concluded, Tommy was handed off to another manager who confirmed his termination, clarifying that it was not based on his performance.
His employer also apologized for the timing, acknowledging that Tommy had just disclosed his girlfriend’s pregnancy.
Viewers of the viral video were not pleased with how Tommy was dismissed.
Some criticized the company’s actions, suggesting that they had fired him to avoid granting parental leave.
Others criticized the unprofessionalism displayed by Tommy’s employer and colleagues, with one viewer commenting, “They sound like they have no idea what they are talking about… and they look so unprofessional. Who are these people?”
Another viewer noted the questionable phrasing of Tommy’s termination, stating, “Omg, she never should have mentioned ‘unrelated to what you told me last week.'”
In response to the situation, many viewers advised Tommy to file for unemployment, but Tommy did not provide further information about his plans after losing his job.
Speculation has arisen about why Tommy deleted his viral video.
Some netizens suggest he may have done so on the advice of his lawyers, or that his employer may have offered him a settlement.
The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with various users offering their opinions.
Some believe Tommy’s actions could have been a breach of his employment contract, as he recorded work calls and made them public, potentially damaging the company’s reputation.
“Or he violated a company’s media policy by uploading the video to the internet instead of handling it privately,” an X user commented.
Others see this as an opportunity for Tommy to find a more supportive and understanding workplace.
“The best thing that could have happened to this guy. Now go find a company that you can grow in, and one that doesn’t terminate their workers, oops I mean “roles”, for trivial reasons,” said this verified user.
Additionally, some netizens emphasized that human resources departments primarily exist to protect the interests of the business, cautioning against developing close relationships with HR personnel.
The Daily Netizen 