Legal Question in Employment Law in Missouri

Hi, We are a couple that have been working for our employer for 13 months together. we have sat next to each other, worked on the same shift, had the same days off this whole time. We let it be known upfront that we were dating, informed our supervisor and our site director. This whole time our professionalism has never been questioned as we basically keep it work related at work. Recently our company has undergone a site wide schedule change. We spoke with a few other employee's and agreed to switch shift's so that we could continue working the same schedule. We signed the paperwork and went to turn it in, just like every other time this has happened. This time when we turned it in, we were told we would no longer be able to work on the same schedule. We asked if we had done something wrong. we were told no, it wasn't punishment. We spoke to another married couple, and they were told they were able to continue working the same schedule together. we spoke to our supervisor and was told that another supervisor approved that couple working together. We have been told by multiple supervisor's and one site director that we were a model couple for employee's as we have never once caused a problem, been talked to in any way. What i am trying to figure out is why can i not get a straight answer from my employer why we are being singled out? Is this a form of discrimination?

We also have explained that we have one car, working together save's time, money and also lets us spend time together on weekends. They gave me a shift that start's at 7:15 am and ends at 4:15 pm, they gave my Fiance a shift that starts at 4:15pm and ends at 1am. not only that, one has Friday and saturday off and the other has monday and tuesday off. So at this point, we never get to see each other awake, we have to purchase another vehicle or one has to take a bus/cab to get to work.

Is this considered discrimination at all?


Asked on 4/10/12, 1:01 am

2 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

Unless there is some other factor that you did not mention, the facts you described do not equate to prohibited discrimination. Unless you signed a contract, neither of you are required to keep working for this employer. If they learn that one or both of you might quit, the coompany may reassess if they want to schedule you the same.

Good luck

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Answered on 4/12/12, 2:42 pm


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