Can my employer change my hours?
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Can my employer change my hours?
After being out of work on workers’ comp due to a work related injury, upon my
return, my employer has changed my hours claiming that the needs of the business has changed due to new business that they have acquired. Can they
legally change my hours?
Asked on March 9, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Unless this change can be proved to be some form of retaliation for making a workers' comp claim (and you did not indicate that to be the case), your employer is free to change your hours. The fact is that a company can change set the conditons of the workplace much as it sees fit or deems necessary so long as such conditions do not constitue some form of legal discrimination/retaliation (as discussed above) or violate the terms of any applicable union agreement or employment contract. Accordingly, your employer can change your hours, with or without notice. If you fight the change, you can be subject to dismissal.
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