Can my employer dock my salary with no write-ups?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can my employer dock my salary with no write-ups?
I was making 65k, boss says he’s not happy with my performance and drops me to 60k. I have no write-ups and have had no other reprimand. Is this legal?
Asked on January 10, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Unless this action violated the terms of an empoyment contract or union agreement, it was legal. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). That having been said, a reduction of wages can only be for work not yet performed. Any work already completed must be paid at the original rate. In other words, salary decreases cannot be retroactive.
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Unless this action violated the terms of an empoyment contract or union agreement, it was legal. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company can set the conditions of employment much as it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). That having been said, a reduction of wages can only be for work not yet performed. Any work already completed must be paid at the original rate. In other words, salary decreases cannot be retroactive.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.