A recent post on here kicked off a memory of mine. I'd figure I'd share because I kinda got lucky.
Back in early 2020 I started a new job but had a baby on the way. Honestly, the job was awful but it was a paycheck while I figured out the next steps after being laid off from my previous gig. As part of my hiring negotiations, I requested to get at least two weeks paid off for paternity leave, as they didn't offer any actual leave for fathers. They agreed.
Flash forward to about the time my son is born. This was peak COVID-19 (first wave), and I had a newborn. My company demanded everyone come back into the office, effective immediately because they didn't believe people were “working well” remotely (aka they were micromanagers). They were not requiring masks. When people asked for desks to be moved 6 feet apart and the owners realized they didn't have the room, they got flustered and said they weren't legally required to. Remember, this was pre-vaccine first-wave peak COVID, when bodies were piling up in freezer trucks outside hospitals. And beyond my wife and my health, I had this baby with no immune system.
I didn't say anything and took my two weeks, knowing I wasn't going to go back in there with zero precautions and a newborn. When I returned, I politely but firmly explained the situation, and asked for to extend my WFH situation for a while longer. They said they'd think about it, then apparently shopped my job around to my employees (my employees told me this). They eventually came back and said no, either you come in or we'll have to go our separate ways. I said no. They let me go. My wife 100% had my back and I know I'm super fortunate to be able to walk away when not everyone could (a co-worker who stuck around got COVID and her husband passed away).
At the end of it all I talked to HR, and they told me my final paycheck amount. It was practically nothing. When I asked about my “paternity leave” pay they argued that it was unpaid, and that they don't have an official paternity leave policy. I explained that I was specifically asked for this as part of my hiring but they refused to budge. They don't have paid paternity leave, my two weeks off are considered unpaid vacation. The conversation got heated, fast (hell hath no fury like a new parent being thrown out for protecting his child). I remember a lot of yelling. Here they were, yanking my job and now telling me they wouldn't even give me a last paycheck.
I thought I was screwed. Then I remembered I might have a paper trail. Checked my emails; the hiring email did not specify the paid paternity leave, but I had the mind to include it in my acceptance letter back as a friendly reminder/thank you for accommodating me. I forwarded the email to the owners (and probably threatened legal action). Within 30 minutes the owner called back, profusely apologizing. They corrected everything. Then they sent expensive baby gifts and nice cards. Maybe as a kind gesture, more likely as an effort to smooth things over and prevent a lawsuit.
But I am so, so thankful that I wrote that down. I'm typically someone who takes people at their word and trusts people, but this whole experience has forever soured me. Probably a “no shit, Sherlock” lesson, but I thought it might be helpful to pass along regardless.
TL;DR: When starting a new job or requesting anything special, always make sure you have it in writing – IM, email, anything. Employers will try and find a way to screw you over otherwise.