Can I sue my previous employer if it lied about my wage and hours?
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Can I sue my previous employer if it lied about my wage and hours?
I am a Class A holder. I worked for a reputable company, we’ll call this company
Asked on June 6, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Oregon
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Absent a union agreement or employment contract to the contrary, a mere verbal promise without consideration regarding wages/hours is not legally enforceable. Also, your treatment must not have constituted some form of legally actionable discrimination. The fact is that most employment is "at will", which means that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately, all employment is "employment at will" unless you have a written employment contract for a definite term (e.g. a one-year contract)--which contract is still in force--to the contrary. That means that if you don't have a contract, an employer may change your hours or pay from what was promised at will--in other words, your employer's non-contractual promises (promises not contained in a written contract) are not enforceable, and you therefore cannot sue them for violating their non-enforceable promises.
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