37 weeks pregnant and in labor, founder was still sending work emails. Her Gen Z colleague's blunt message changed everything for her

The hospital bed was supposed to be a place of rest. Instead, one New York City founder, Alli K, sat there, 37 weeks pregnant, hooked to medication to induce labour… while clacking away at work emails. Her inbox was overflowing. Her maternity leave document was unfinished. Even her annual self-review was pending. So, between contractions, she fired off a cheery update: “Baby’s coming sooner than expected. Will be online for a bit and keep you posted!”

Looking back, she calls it “ridiculous” and “absolutely unhinged.” At the time, though, it felt like the right thing to do. She was convinced that staying online — even in a hospital gown — proved her dedication. Deep down, she believed that the price of being respected was constant sacrifice.


Then, in the middle of it all, came the bluntest reply she’s ever received. A younger Gen Z colleague messaged her asking if she was working while she was in labour and urged her to stop. Alli brushed it off in the moment, stubborn and sure she knew better. But over time, the words sank in. That colleague had spotted what she hadn’t — that boundaries aren’t a weakness. They’re survival.

Now, she says she’s still working on letting go of that old “martyr mindset” and wants others to break free from it as well. Her three reminders are simple: you never need to apologise for logging off, you don’t have to prove you’ve earned the right to rest, and being committed should never mean letting work consume you or acting so overworked that people start questioning your well-being.