One of the most heartbreaking layoff stories I've heard this year is Sabrina Malhi's. She was six weeks postpartum, her newborn cradled in her arms, when she found out The Washington Post had eliminated her position. Too many women have lived some version of this story, and I wanted to understand how they find their way back. It also raises the question: what rights do pregnant women and new moms actually have when this happens to them?

For this week's paid newsletter, I spoke with Sabrina and audience editor Gabriella Iannetta about how they made it through a layoff while juggling a newborn, and how other women can protect themselves if they’re in the same situation. We also got into the textures of new motherhood — how having a baby shifted their outlook on work, and on life in general.

I want to thank Sabrina and Gabriella for trusting me to tell one of the most difficult experiences of their lives, and Jack Tuckner, a women’s workplace rights lawyer, for his legal expertise on the subject. Whether you're a parent or childless (like me), I think you'll see yourself somewhere in Sabrina and Gabriella's stories.

Also in today's newsletter: a Nantucket shop under fire for seemingly singling out women influencers, what Buzzfeed staffers are telling La Fronde about yesterday's layoffs, and another reader hot take in today's I Said What I Said.

xoxo,

Stephanie

The email came completely out of left field.

In February, Sabrina Malhi was on maternity leave from her job as a national health-care reporter covering infant and maternal health at The Washington Post when she got an invitation to a company-wide video call with The Post’s executive editor, Matt Murray. There, he delivered the grim news: the company was in deep financial trouble and would lay off a significant number of employees (about 30 percent of its entire staff, according to the New York Times). 

Staff received an email following the announcement that confirmed whether they were safe or not. Holding her newborn son and in the throes of postpartum, Sabrina got the dreaded note: her position was eliminated. 

“I’m biting my nails and my fingers are starting to bleed,” Sabrina says in anticipation of the email. “I got that email saying your role has been eliminated and I started crying while holding my baby. I’m six weeks postpartum.”