Haircuts vs. Humanity: The Day a Manager Chose Style Over a Staff Member Giving Birth
Have you ever had a boss who seemed to value their own time (and hair) more than, say, the actual well-being of their staff? You might want to sit down for this one, because a story from r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk just proved that, for some managers, a fresh fade trumps the miracle of life.
Imagine: You're in your final month of pregnancy, working the front desk at a hotel, and the contractions begin. It’s time—maybe. But your manager? He’s off to get his hair done and tells you to just “wait it out” until the next shift… in three hours. If your blood pressure just spiked, you’re not alone.
The Haircut Heard 'Round the Hotel
Let’s set the scene: Two friends, both working for the same hotel chain at different locations, are slogging through the daily grind. One is heavily pregnant, plagued by Braxton Hicks contractions for a week. The other, our storyteller, gets a frantic call—her friend is having real contractions and needs to leave.
But her manager (the villain of our piece) isn’t hearing it. He’s got an “important” haircut appointment. No concern for the imminent arrival of human life. No, “let’s get you to a doctor.” Just: “Wait three more hours, I gotta look sharp.” And then he leaves.
As u/RedDazzlr quipped in the comments, “That kind of manager only understands the medical crises that are their own.” The community consensus? This manager’s priorities were as backwards as his haircut was probably outdated.
When Bosses Just Don’t Get It
This isn’t just a one-off story, either. The comment section quickly filled with tales of management obliviousness, especially around employee health. u/Illustrious-Mind-683 recounted passing out at work, only to have their boss get mad—because they left to recover. “He wanted me to stay and work. I still had to drive myself home. While very dizzy.” The kicker? When the boss himself felt dizzy, he called his wife to pick him up.
It’s a pattern: empathy is a one-way street, leading directly to the manager’s own well-being.
And it goes beyond hotels. u/x-tianschoolharlot shared a retail horror story: six months pregnant, mentally unwell, psychiatrist saying “go to the ER now.” The manager’s response? “Can you wait? We’re really busy this week.” (Spoiler: she did not wait, nor should anyone.)
America: Land of the Free, Home of No Maternity Leave?
Beyond individual stories, the saga sparked a broader conversation about work culture, especially in the US. As u/MeerkatHazzard bluntly put it, “What a dystopia we are living in where pregnant women are forced to work to the last minute…” The comment “America,” dropped in reply, needed no further explanation.
Others in the thread chimed in with their own experiences: working up to the day before giving birth, being denied reasonable accommodations, and—most shockingly—being asked to climb counters or handle chemicals at seven months pregnant. One commenter summed up the collective outrage: “It’s shocking and confusing that one of the biggest, developed, western players does not have maternity leave in any significant manner. Not even in a health-protecting manner.”
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Karma for Bad Bosses
So, what happened to our original manager with the impeccable hair priorities? The OP didn’t stick around to find out—her friend never returned from maternity leave, and she herself found a better job within a month. But the thread’s consensus was clear: these managers often get away with it, at least in the short term.
Yet, as u/cynrtst noted, when competent employees finally walk, “The place fell apart… They didn’t know how much slack I was picking up but they found out.” Sometimes, poetic justice is the only justice we get.
And let’s not forget the humor that helps us cope. When u/RoyallyOakie joked, “Every shitty manager I've ever had would leave during their shift for hair appointments,” u/birdmanrules replied, “Maybe I could be your manager. I'm bald, rules out hair appointments. Pair of scissors for ear hairs only required.” Every workplace needs a little comic relief.
Conclusion: More Empathy, Fewer Haircuts (During Medical Emergencies)
Workplaces are only as good as the people who lead them. If your boss cares more about their hair than your health—or your baby’s impending arrival—it might be time to look for the exit (and maybe a regional manager with actual compassion). As this wild Reddit tale shows, it’s not just about the policies; it’s about basic humanity.
Have you ever had a boss who put their own priorities comically ahead of yours? Or worked through something you absolutely shouldn’t have? Share your wildest workplace horror stories in the comments below—because sometimes, venting is the best medicine. And if you’re a manager, here’s a tip: babies > bangs. Every. Single. Time.
Original Reddit Post: Apparently a haircut is more important than giving birth