Marissa Hughes, a new mom who recently adopted a premature baby, faced unexpected challenges from her employer, Kyte Baby, as she sought to balance her work responsibilities with caring for her newborn son, Judah. Hughes and her husband, Rawley, underwent years of fertility treatments, including IVF and IUI, before embracing adoption. Judah, born at 22 weeks of gestation, weighed just over a pound.
Upon the couple’s decision to pursue adoption, Hughes approached Kyte Baby, requesting remote work flexibility to stay by her baby’s side in El Paso, Texas, where Judah was receiving critical care. However, the company’s response shocked many, revealing a policy of allowing only two weeks of remote work, after which job termination would be imminent if Hughes couldn’t return to the workplace.
The situation gained widespread attention on TikTok and GoFundMe, prompting a backlash against Kyte Baby and calls for a boycott. In response, CEO Ying Liu issued an apology on TikTok, acknowledging the mishandling of Hughes’ parental leave request. Liu expressed regret for the oversight, emphasizing the company’s family-oriented values and pledging to find Hughes a position whenever she decides to return.
However, Liu’s scripted apology drew criticism for lacking sincerity and genuine understanding of the emotional complexities involved. In a second video, Liu spoke off the cuff, admitting her insensitive decision to deny Hughes’ remote work request. She extended an offer to continue paying Hughes as if she were working remotely until she decided to return. The situation’s impact on Hughes’ employment status remains uncertain, but the company has expressed openness to accommodating her needs. The couple’s GoFundMe has shifted focus to support expenses related to Judah’s birth mother and ongoing NICU care.