Should I go to HR?

I have no idea if it's actually an hr issue but I would be a little irked by it too. How hard would it have been to put a generic policy reminder in the other email?

@Rachel and the “office chatter” makes for a very uncomfortable working environment. Now I question who is talking.

Yes, I'd refer to HR in this case as the person writing that email is not respecting you as an individual employee and inferring that you are all, as a collective shirking your work responsibilities and they are also, unprofessionally engaging in 'office chatter' regarding the supposed lack of work focus you all have which is then based on rumour and not a fact. I'd say, I'd like to be addressed personally/individually if there is a problem with my work specifically or if you have any concerns or questions regarding my dedication and focus at work. I object to the inference that I do not have appropriate childcare. If you leave, it you allow them to leave a stain on your character imo.

HR may have been the one to give the manager the policy so they could send it out again. I’m a WFH mom too. I’d be annoyed by the email but I know I’m following the policy so I wouldn’t be too bothered by it.

@Rhiannon you have summed up how I feel in a more professional manner than I ever could! Lol. Also I feel very targeted as a “mom” when I know for a fact that one the non-moms is not following the policy and it is conveniently being overlooked.

It's unprofessional but I'm not sure if it would qualify as an HR issue. It wouldn't hurt to send HR a note that you feel singled out by the wording of the email and go from there. What policy is the one person you know of not following?

@JL The part that makes me feel like it’s an HR issue is that we were called out as being moms. Almost discriminated against. In a nutshell, the person not following policy is not available to complete required tasks during all scheduled work hours.

It's not a good look, for sure, and any HR professional should have an issue with it but it would be difficult to go any further than that. I mentioned it my husband who is a VP of HR in a company in NYC where protections for pregnancy and families are pretty strong. He said: I think it's a bit inappropriate, I wouldn't have sent it with the subject addressing the "Moms" nor would I have sent it as a group email to the 3 of them together. Depending on what state/city they work in it could be problematic, maybe an argument about it being discriminatory, but I think it's a weak argument. It would likely be something that gets them bad publicity if it blew up with another issue but not likely to be the basis for a discrimination case.

Yes. Email HR (don't call, not in writing means nothing exists). Screenshot the email and express you feel it inappropriately emphasizes your gendered role as a 'mom' and that paired with notice of "office chatter" you are being exposed to inappropriate conduct which promotes a hostile work environment. You understand the responsibilities and terms of your position and would appreciate more professionalism and overall objectivity going forward.

Definitely forward to HR, explained how the policy reminder was fine and acceptable but the rest of the email made it sound more personal than professional. As a colleague, they should know to never mix office gossip with an actual professional matter. Surely making a discriminatory statement is a misconduct as well, maybe they should get a reminder email about code of conduct as well from HR.