Denied overtime pay and sick pay

[Heidi Taylor <hltaylor@kraftcontainer.com>]

I work in middle management as a quality director for a
corrugated box manufacturer.  When I started this job, there
were no quality initiatives in place, therefore I put in many
long hours strengthening the company's procedures.  My marriage
suffered for the long hours I was working, and I didn't get
to spend nearly enough time with my children.  I felt, 
however, that I was working hard to earn my place in the
company, establishing my career, and proving myself to my
bosses.  Eventually I was put on salary, based on the amount
of overtime I was being paid.  I had no problem with this, 
understanding that it is part of management.  I was an
exemplory employee, receiving nothing but praise for my 
efforts, and making great strides with our customers.  My
marriage, however, could not take the stress of the long 
hours, and failed.  My evaluation in January was excellent,
and ranked my attendance as good.  My 5 year old son became
seriously ill shortly there after, and I began having to 
take some time off to be with him at the doctor or in the
hospital.  The time wasn't a lot, about 5 hours a week on
average, most of which was made up working at home or on the
weekends.  The personal relationship I had with one of the
owners of the company eroded at this time because of a
disagreement I had with him outside of business hours about
a non-business topic.  Soon, my boss called me into his office
and told me he had been approached by the other two owners 
with concerns about my absenteeism.  He stated it had nothing
to do with my time off to be with my son, and showed me a
list of supposed time missed over the last year.  I, of course, have no written
record of my time, as I am salaried and not punching a clock,
but expressed my disbelief, and pointed out that the list
made no reference to the nights I would be at work until 3 in
the morning, or the many weekends.  But he told me not to get upset, he just wanted
me to be aware of it.  So, I was not too concerned.  I was
sent out of town on business in May, and returned to be 
told by my boss that they were no longer going to pay me for
any time I had to take off to be with my very sick child.  I
asked if I would be receiving pay for my overtime, and was
told no.  Shortly thereafter, I came down with a serious
infection, and was restricted to my bed by my doctor.  Upon
return to work two days later, I was told I would either need
to use vacation time, or have this time deducted from my check.
I questioned if I was to be hourly, could I start being paid
overtime and accumulating sick time like other hourlys in the
office, and was told no.  When I questioned this, I was told
"Don't be facetious with me little lady or you can walk out 
that door and never come back"  I was also told all this is
a part of management, but the male managers are never docked
time or have their hours questioned, even though some of them
only work about 30 hours a week when they're supposed to be
working 40.  I've also been told several times that I must
be getting so upset about this because its "that time" or that
women are too emotional.

I may be emotional, but all I know is I have a house payment
that's late, a son who's hospital bills are mounting and who
needs his mommy, numerous stress related ailments and no where 
to turn for help.  To top things off, I'm fairly certain I'm
about to be called as a witness in a discrimination case 
pending by another female employee, and am afraid for how
much worse things can get when I go there and tell the truth.