Can my employer lower my hourly wage without cause?
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Can my employer lower my hourly wage without cause?
Asked on September 21, 2010 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Is there is a stated company policy that governs wages? Or there is a union/employment agreement that does not allow for such action? Possibly this situation has arisen due to some type of discrimination (i.e., for reasons due to your race, religion, age, disability, sex, national origin)? However you did not indicate this to be the case. Absent any of the foregoing, your employer's action did not violate the law.
The reason is that in most states employment relationships are what is known as "at will", and CO is no exception. What this means is that basically an employer can hire or fire someone for any reason or no reason whatsoever, as well has increase/decrease salary/hours, promote/demote, and generally impose requirements as they see fit. You in turn can work for an employer, or not, your choice.
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