Kyte Baby CEO Apologizes After Firing New Mother Seeking to Work Remotely

The incident has sparked a wider debate about the lack of support for new parents in the workplace, particularly in the U.S.

Kyte Baby CEO Ying Liu has faced backlash after firing a new mother, Marissa Hughes, who requested to work remotely to be near her premature infant in the NICU.
Hughes had undergone years of infertility treatments and had recently adopted her son, Judah, who was born at 22 weeks and weighed about 1 pound.
Liu initially adhered to company policy, allowing only two weeks of remote work, and later fired Hughes. This decision sparked controversy and criticism online.
Liu has since apologized in two TikTok videos, admitting her decision was 'insensitive' and 'selfish'. She also offered to continue paying Hughes as if she were working remotely and to keep her original position open for her return.
The incident has highlighted the lack of support for new parents in the workplace, particularly in the United States, which is the only developed country without guaranteed paid leave.