The Kyte Baby controversy has captured the attention of parents and advocates everywhere. At the center of the storm is Marissa, a new mom who was fired from the popular babywear company while her newborn son was in the NICU. In an exclusive interview with TODAY.com, Marissa shares her side of the story, shedding light on the difficulties she faced during this challenging time.
A Terrible Mistake
Marissa’s firing became a viral sensation after Kyte Baby founder Ying Liu posted two apology videos on TikTok, admitting to a “terrible mistake” in how she treated the new mom. Marissa, in her first media interview, expresses her frustration, saying, “It was never my intention to quit — I was willing to work from the NICU! My child is fighting for his life.”
The Controversy Unveiled
Ying Liu’s apologies garnered millions of views on TikTok, resonating with viewers who empathized with Marissa’s struggle. However, Marissa’s account of events differs from the company’s response. While Kyte Baby claims that Marissa “declined” their offer to return to work, Marissa asserts that she was initially given permission to work remotely and part-time while her son was in the hospital. The situation escalated when, as Marissa was reviewing the maternity leave paperwork, she received a call informing her that she had been fired.
Contrasting Narratives
Kyte Baby maintains that Marissa’s job could not be done remotely, thus leading to their decision to part ways. Marissa, however, insists that she was never told she had a job to return to. The conflicting accounts have ignited a heated debate surrounding the treatment of working parents, particularly in moments of crisis.
Kyte Baby’s Apologies
Ying Liu’s first public apology video on TikTok displayed a scripted message that garnered criticism for its lack of sincerity. In a subsequent video, Liu deviated from the script, taking full responsibility for the decision to reject Marissa’s remote work request. She acknowledged her insensitivity and expressed regret for not considering the possibility of remote work in Marissa’s circumstances. Liu offered to continue paying Marissa benefits and the proposed remote position until she was ready to return.
Marissa’s Journey
Marissa and her husband endured three years of fertility treatments before turning to adoption. They finally became parents to their baby boy, Judah, who was born prematurely at 22 weeks. While Judah was in the neonatal intensive care unit, Marissa alerted her superiors at Kyte Baby and informed them of the situation. Marissa claims that a new remote schedule was established in a video call with two higher-ups, but she was fired shortly after due to concerns about Kyte Baby’s maternity leave policy for adoptive parents.
The Aftermath
Marissa expresses her surprise at the TikTok apologies since she doesn’t use the platform herself. She attempted to communicate with Liu via email, declining the offer to return to Kyte Baby despite the new offer to pay her salary. Marissa emphasizes the importance of recognizing the needs of both biological and adoptive parents in the workplace, advocating for compassion and flexibility during difficult times.
To read more about Marissa’s courageous journey and the Kyte Baby controversy, visit F5mag.com.