“Workers’ Voices” is a series on A Better Balance’s blog highlighting the firsthand experiences of workers from across the country. For some workers we are in touch with, they are covered by federal, state, or local workplace protections that make a world of difference in their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones. For others, their experiences highlight the glaring gaps that remain in our laws.
Recent legal attacks on the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act’s constitutionality in Texas have led to a suspension of pregnant and postpartum Texas state government employees’ rights to reasonable accommodations at work. Because of this, women employed by the State are being forced to risk the health of their pregnancies.
The below is a story from Amy*, an employee of the State of Texas who shared her experience being denied the accommodations she needed at work while pregnant due to these attacks on the law. (*name changed for anonymity)
I have a high risk pregnancy, so I have to go to the doctor a lot more for prenatal appointments. The first thing my employer said is to use the FMLA to take time off, which I don’t qualify for. I had a baby almost a year ago and haven’t earned my FMLA leave time back.
The accommodation process was so hard. They didn’t want to talk to me, I had to put everything in emails and go through so many different directors. And there was no guarantee I would get any time off for appointments. Now I have to literally use all my vacation time, which I could be using to spend time with my baby.
They could have just given me a more accommodating schedule, so I could go to those appointments. I was told, still to this day, I have to work from 8 to 5, even though there are other shifts available to coworkers. I don’t understand why I had to max out all my vacation time to take the time I needed off. But what can I do? I need my job.
I’m really upset. I could be one of those people that could get these accommodations, and now I can’t. Fortunately I have a husband who can take up some of the finances, but what about the women who don’t?
“It could get to a point where it’s the life of my baby on the line, with having to choose between either keeping my job or going to the doctor.”
It could get to a point where it’s the life of my baby on the line, with having to choose between either keeping my job or going to the doctor. If I can’t take time off, what if something happens to my baby? With a high risk pregnancy, it’s already scary, and not being able to change my schedule is more stress on me and my baby.
It’s almost forcing me to quit my job. I hope I find another job after I have my baby. Why is it just Texas state employees who don’t have these rights? Why us? It feels like we’re almost in the old days where women don’t have rights. It’s frustrating.