What to do about a cut in your hourly wage?
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What to do about a cut in your hourly wage?
My husband started working for his employer about 1 1/2 years ago and his wages were $11.00 per hour. When he went back to full-tme 6 months ago, they informed him that his wages had been cut by $.50. He wasn’t demoted in anyway. Is that legal?
Asked on October 27, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Indiana
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You don't mention whether or not your husband is a member of a union. This would be an additional exception to the ones described above--- if he was an employee that was subject to a collective bargaining agreement, then he may have additional enforcement remedies pursuant to that agreement or his status in the union.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is, unfortunately, completely legal to reduce an employee's wages, with or without demoting him. Employers freely determine employee wages and may change them at will; the only exception would be if the employee had an actual written employment contract, which set or guaranteed his wages.
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