I was suspended from my job for a week because I called in sick!?

Question

I am pregnant and when i told my doctor this she told me that this was illegal. I tried to report this to the department of labor and they said they could only help me if i wasn't being paid. Where should I report this, I am out of work for a week with no pay because I am pregnant and was sick and couldn't work. This can't be right!!

Answer 1

Since you're not being paid the Department of Labor should be able to help you.

What you also need to look at is your prior attendance record before you became pregnant.  If you have violated the companies attendance policy and the suspension is part of their rules, then they can suspend you.  However, if you have not violated the attendance policy in the past and they did this not only should you be working with the Dept. of Labor but I would start contacting attorneys in your area who specialize in this area of law.

Answer 2

don't take medical advice from your lawyer.  don't take legal advice from your doctor.

Answer 3

Unless you are union protected you are pretty much out of luck. There is a federal act that prohibits the actions your employer took if you had signed up for it to begin with. Short name is the Families Leave Act. However, that doesn't require your employer to pay you for time off, only to prevent him from "punishing" you for taking time off you need.

You could always try to take him to small claims court for the time he required you to take off, but I doubt it would be in your long term best interests.

Answer 4

I would report this to your boss's superior first. If they can't or won't help you, then try the BBB (Better Business Bureau) or the Department of Labor.

If you're part of a labor union, you should talk to them about this.

As a last resort, if you have any local news channels that have some kind of investigative reporters where you can call in problems, you can try them. But only use them as a last resort, since they typically only go for consumer fraud (such as buying an item, and it turns out to be defective and the company won't replace or fix it for you).

Answer 5

If you are ill, and work in certain industries- they can require you to not be present until you are healthy.  For example, you don't want someone with the flu making you food at a restaurant.  Many companies will require employees to stay home and recover to prevent spreading the disease throughout the office.

If you weren't there because you were pregnant, and dealing with morning sickness, than it's a different story.

Of course, you think it can't be right because it is your check that is being affected.  But imagine the company's perspective.  They had one employee out sick who came back to soon and got the rest of the department sick.  Now, only one or two people can work.

Answer 6

Call The Department of Fair Housing and Employment. The labor board only deals with wage issues. There is a difference between the two.

Answer 7

"...tried to report this to the department of labor and they said they could only help me if i wasn't being paid. Where should I report this, I am out of work for a week with no pay..."

You are not being paid, so go back to the labor board.

By the way, an employer can only require a doctor's note if you are absent 3 days in a row.  I don't understand why you didn't get a note, and why they suspended you??