Hello, I work in California for the City of San Jose.

Recently I was diagnosed as having an ectopic pregnancy (otherwise called tubal pregnancy, or anywhere other than the uterus). I was out of work for 2.5, maybe 3 weeks because of it, hospitalization, medication and recovery.

On April 14, 2007, I returned to the ER for pains, and they ended up admitting me. I was there for 2 nights, the second night, I was in surgery, and discharged the following day.

I was scheduled to work for a co-worker of mine on Sunday, April 15, 2007 (a shift trade, I worked his evening shift, and he would work my day shift, approved by management and signing a form), and unfortunately, I couldn't, because I was in the hospital, and my mother called in on Saturday night to notify them of the situation, and that I probably won't be in.

On the shift trade form it states, not exactly but something like this..."failure to fulfill this contract or agreement will result in shift trading privaledges for 90 days." On Monday April 30, 2007, the same co-worker and I were approved to trade. We requested to trade on Sunday, May 6, 2007, and it was denied because I failed to show up to work on the 15th.

To me, this is outrageous. I was in the hospital with a potentially life threatening condition.

Prior to this, another co-worker failed to come in and work overtime (because she was sick). Our policy states that if you fail to work overtime that you are scheduled for, you are to be suspended from working any overtime for 30 days, however, she was right back at working overtime the following week. This is unfair treatment! Is there anything I can do??