I posted last week, but I feel like I left a few things out.
First, I have a specific lung disease that's terminal. It could kill me in 6 months, or 10 yrs. It fully depends on how quickly it progresses. I'm losing lung function little by little, but am not at a point that I could collect disability.
My 10 yr old son is special needs. He's had terrible trauma that's deeply affected him. He's ADHD, he's got some learning disabilities, speech impediment, and serious behavioral issues stemming from his traumatic past, and has to take a lot of meds, including anti-psychotic meds to help with mood disorders.
When I applied for my current job of nearly 2 yrs, I explained my health issues. They were happy to hire me due to having a lot of experience. They explained our breaks are two 10 minute breaks, but due to my health issues, I could take more if needed. I told them it would be unlikely that I would, but it was appreciated. They asked me what kind of schedule I'd be interested in, and I explained I was a single mom, so it's important to work around his schedule, Mon thru Fri, 9 to 5. They were perfectly fine with it.
The first year there was rough due to problems my kid was having in school. It got pretty bad with him getting into fights. He was getting suspended, I was getting calls from the school to come get him. It lowered my reliability in their eyes. I got my kid on his medication, and he's doing better behaviorally. Until a few weeks ago. He got into a fight and I had to get him from school. I was out a day and a half. Any time my kid got in trouble or got sick, I always tried to provide them with documentation so they know I'm telling the truth.
I got called to the office, and threatened to get fired. They complained that I took my two 10 minute breaks, said they were discretionary. By law, they aren't required, and how I need to be more like others that work there and maybe not take them? They said if school calls me to get my kid again for behavior issues, I'm fired. They said people are complaining that I don't work weekends (there's alot there that don't, I'm not special in this), and if I don't work weekends, I'm fired.
I should note, there was no complaint about the quality of my work. I've gotten $2.00 in raises since I've been there. While I understand that at one point I was less reliable, but not so much any more. My son got in trouble just one time this school year, and the year is nearly over. Like most states, it's at will. Do I have any recourse here? Also, they're paying a few people under the table. So, if I get fired, I'm taking somebody down with me.