After the 16 weeks of maternity leave we have in my country, my wife was ready to go back to work, regain her professional space and quickly catch up. But after getting to the office she was called to her boss office and sent home.
The reasons provided were related to low performance (excuse me? after 4 months away how can low performance be a valid motive? without having had any warning for low performance before the leave started? nonsense).
They tried to give the minimum severance possible as they considered it was a justified firing, but LUCKILY she chose to get a lawyer and fight back. She ended up getting 4 or 5 times the initial amount and following our country laws the firing was declared void (although she of course chose not to rejoin the company but to take the severance and take a time for herself).
Employers: is that so hard to act like human beings with some humanity traces? How sick and cruel you have to be as an employer to fire a mom the day she returns to work after maternity leave?
Employees: we have to fight for what is ours, always.