No one should be treated like this
I don't usually share much about my personal life outside of writing, but this felt important.
My mom recently left a job she dedicated 13 years of her life to because she no longer felt safe there. What makes it especially difficult is that she genuinely loved her work and the people she helped.
As her disabled daughter, I've spent years watching her balance her career, caregiving responsibilities, and everything life threw at her with incredible strength and compassion. She has been one of my biggest advocates, both inside and outside hospital walls.
No one should be made to feel unsafe at work. No one should be yelled at for taking a sick day. And no one who has spent over a decade helping others should be made to feel like walking away is their only option.
I'm proud of her for choosing herself, even when it was one of the hardest decisions she's had to make.
Sometimes strength looks like staying. Sometimes strength looks like leaving.
💛
From personal experience, witnessing a loved one leave a long-term job due to an unsafe work environment is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. It’s important to recognize that workplaces should foster safety, respect, and support, especially for those who balance demanding roles like caregiving alongside their careers. A toxic environment can affect not only mental health but also physical wellbeing, and sometimes the bravest choice is stepping away to protect oneself. Caregiving, particularly for disabled family members, adds layers of responsibility that many workplaces fail to accommodate with empathy. When sick days are met with criticism instead of understanding, it creates an untenable situation that forces people to choose between their health and their livelihood. This story reminds me how critical it is for employers to create inclusive policies that genuinely support their employees’ complex realities. Choosing to leave a beloved job after over a decade is never easy. It can bring feelings of loss and uncertainty, but it can also open doors to new opportunities where respect and safety are prioritized. Strength isn’t just in enduring tough situations; it’s also in recognizing when to walk away and put yourself first. For anyone in a similar position, know that your well-being matters, and sometimes prioritizing yourself is the most courageous act you can take.
