I work in retail-commission sales. I wanted clarification on possible discrimination. It is required that ever sales rep in my company (at least in Ohio) is required to work every Saturday from Nov 1st until Christmas. I have an event on November 19th (saturday) that I am unable to miss. I was told flat out that I could not have this day off....

Another person, in the same position, was granted 3 Saturdays off during this off because he has 3 kids and is divorced and has his visitation hours with them on Saturdays and Sundays. Now, I have no gripe to the person with kids, but am I being treated unfairly or am I being discriminated for NOT having children. It seems if they make exceptions for people with kids, they would have to make exceptions for other people if the situation demands. What does the law say about this sort of situation.

This is not illegal discrimination.

First of all, whether you do or do not have children is not a protected characteristic in your (or most) state(s).

Second, the company has the right to make exceptions to their policy at their discretion.

Third, no one has the guaranteed right to have any particular time off. It is the employer's, not the employee's, opt whether to allow time off or not.

Finally, since this is a custody issue, it's not outside the realm of possibility that there is a court order enforcing the weekend visitation.

does this not put me at a disadvantage b/c I dont have children. At worst case isnt it unfair extreme favortism?

Even if it is, favoritism is not illegal either.

I don't blame you for being upset and I know it seems unfair, but it simply is not illegal no matter how you slice it.

for the help.. :)