Can I be demoted if I’m out on sick leave?

Can I be demoted if I’m out on sick leave?

I am currently out of work due to surgery and have been for 6 weeks. I recieved calls from some members of my staff today telling me that our department head is demoting me from my job as Application Development Manager and moving me out of my office? He called all of staff together and informed them but I still have not heard or been informed of anything? I have never been in trouble or had tany warnings or writeups of any kind in the 16 years I have been employed there. This feels personal somehow since there is no reason that this demotion would benefit the company – there is no money savings, would increase the stress on staff and makes no sense to put me out of my office and leave it empty? I am really stressed over what I have been told.

Asked on November 9, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Oklahoma

Answers:

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.