I work for a corporate company, based out of Michigan but I live and work in Texas and am 8 weeks out from my due date. I’m hoping someone on here may have some legal background and would be able to help me... Here is my situation...

We make our schedules on a monthly basis, (i.e., end of June we create the entire July schedule). I schedule my Dr. appointments for Fridays because there are only two people, including myself that work my position, and due to my coworkers schedule, she works open to close on Fridays to make up for only 3 hour shifts during the week. The only business day of the week, where I am not working alone and there is additional coverage. After my OB appointment on June 21st, we have increased the frequency of appointments to every two weeks. My next scheduled appointment is July 5th. My fiancé and I also have a few other appointments that day for various things, and I decided to submit a paid sick day for July 5th.

Here’s where it gets gross. According to the Texas Policies (not included in our handbook, I had to find separately on my own on our company website), I am eligible for Holiday Pay on Holidays. So July 4th we are closed, and I am guaranteed 8hrs pay. However, in order to receive Holiday pay, I must work both the day before and the day after the 4th, unless previously approved by my supervisor, then I am exempt and allowed Holiday pay. We are also entitled to 1 day off per week, I chose Saturdays. Due to my appointments, I can’t work the 5th. I was denied my paid sick day for prenatal care, and then also denied pay for the 4th. Meaning I am losing over half my hours for the week. My coworker, however, is allowed to do whatever she wants with her schedule. She was given off July 3rd for a SPA DAY AND TO PARTY FOR FOURTH OF JULY. And will still receive Holiday pay for the 4th because it has been approved by a supervisor. Even if she doesn’t, she was also allowed to adjust her schedule the days prior to reach her total amount of hours. I.e., instead of coming in at 3:30, she comes in at 3:00. I was not allowed to adjust my schedule to attempt to reach over 30 hours.

I was also denied a paid sick day for August 2nd for my prenatal care because my coworker has school and can’t come in until 3:00 or else she gets “kicked out of school”

We did just recently move an employee from a different area over to my position, who I am currently training to take over while I am on maternity leave. Currently she works in her original position, and then comes to train with me for a few hours before she is off at 3:00. But for some reason, only the GM knows, was not scheduled August 2nd.

My coworker typically makes the schedule, and then the General Manager approves it.

The General manager herself made these changes, denying me sick days for prenatal care, but approving my coworkers adjusted schedule for school.

Basically I am wanting to know if there are any laws being broken, or discrimination against a pregnant employee taking place that I am able to report? I feel entirely discriminated against because my coworker being in school is somehow much more important than my prenatal care, causing these scheduling issues.

My work environment is becoming more and more hostile, and if it weren’t for bills, and the scheduling accommodations they typically make, (I love being able to work 7-3:30, with Saturdays off, and out early Fridays) I would have quit a while ago.

I have not yet talked to the General Manager about this situation, mostly because she is the one who has created the problem, and I fear retaliation. She can’t fire me for being pregnant, but would certainly make my life miserable at my job. My mental health is already a concern, and stressing myself out further could prove harmful for my baby.

My HR department is corporate as well and it is difficult to get ahold of anyone via phone or email. The only person I would be able to get ahold of would be the assistant to the HR Manager for our location.

I am desperate for some advice on what steps should be taken, I am just short of quitting entirely, but a momma has to work to make money.

If you took the time to read this far... which I SINCERELY appreciate from the bottom of my heart, God bless you, please comment with any advice or experience you may have!!!! Thank you so much